Southern University received one of the biggest offseason boosts in the FCS as All-American defensive end Kelby Givens announced he will return to the Jaguars for one final season after a federal court ruling granted an additional year of eligibility to athletes from the high school class of 2022.
The decision keeps one of the nation’s premier defensive playmakers in Baton Rouge and immediately strengthens a Southern defense expected to contend for a SWAC championship.
Since arriving on campus, Givens has built one of the most impressive résumés in the FCS. He burst onto the scene in 2022 by earning Phil Steele Third Team All-SWAC, Blue Bloods Freshman All-American, and Phil Steele Freshman All-American honors.
He followed that campaign with a dominant sophomore season in 2023, collecting FCS Football Central All-American recognition, First Team All-SWAC honors at defensive end, and SWAC Defensive Player of the Week accolades while establishing himself as one of the conference’s elite pass rushers.
His 2024 season cemented his place among the nation’s best defenders. Givens started all 13 games and totaled 73 tackles, an FCS-leading 27.5 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 13 quarterback hurries, and three forced fumbles. He swept multiple postseason awards, including SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, BOXTOROW Defensive Player of the Year, and Phil Steele Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned First Team All-SWAC, Phil Steele FCS Second Team All-American honors, was named a Buck Buchanan Award finalist, and finished tied for sixth in the national voting for the award presented to the top defensive player in FCS football.
Heading into the 2025 season, Givens was once again recognized as one of the nation’s elite defenders, earning Stats Perform FCS First Team Preseason All-American honors while being named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the SWAC, BOXTOROW, and Phil Steele. He also landed on the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, the Urban Edge Network HBCU+ FCS National Player of the Year Watch List, and the HBCU FCS National Player of the Year Watch List.
Career Statistics
Across four seasons, Givens has appeared in 42 games, compiling:
- 198 total tackles
- 107 solo tackles
- 91 assisted tackles
- 71.5 tackles for loss (304 yards)
- 32 sacks (162 yards)
- 10 forced fumbles
- 2 fumble recoveries
- 4 pass breakups
His 71.5 tackles for loss and 32 career sacks rank among the most productive totals in the FCS during his career, illustrating his consistent ability to disrupt opposing offenses.
With Givens returning for one final season, Southern retains not only the reigning SWAC Defensive Player of the Year but also one of the most accomplished defensive players in program history. His return gives the Jaguars an experienced leader, elite pass rusher, and one of the most feared defenders in college football as Southern sets its sights on a SWAC title and a deep FCS playoff run.
