×

Givens, Simpson improving

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Blair County products Kevin Givens and Zach Simpson both made strong progress this season for Penn State, and their position coaches rave about their versatility and what they bring to the team.

Givens is the only player to play every position on the defensive line this season, going from tackle, where he’s spent most of his college career, to end when needed because of injuries to others.

“I put a lot on his plate, and he can handle it,” D-line coach Sean Spencer said of the Altoona Area High School product.

“He’s played every position on the defensive line, so a testament to that kid is he learned the game and learned our package. He’s versatile, and we can play him anywhere on the D-line.”

Givens has played in every game, making four starts, and has 19 tackles (seven solo) with three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

Asked where he made the most progress, the redshirt sophomore said, “Playing within the defense and just being more mature on the field, making better decisions what to do in certain situations.”

Givens was an end when he first arrived at PSU before moving to tackle, where he’s made a solid impact for two seasons. Because the 6-foot-1, 285-pounder is so strong and quick, Spencer said, Givens can be effective inside at what’s called the 3 technique, or going up against big offensive tackles at end.

“I feel more comfortable at 3 technique because I’ve played that the majority of my time being up here, but whatever the team needs me to do I’ll play whatever,” Givens said. “I feel honored that they trust me enough to put me at the end and 3 tech. They could have picked anybody, but they chose me.”

The plan going forward is for Givens to remain at tackle, as long as the Nittany Lions’ depth at end holds up. The team is losing starting tackles Curtis Cothran and Parker Cothren, so Givens should be a full-time starter next year.

He said he’ll spend a lot of time watching film and working on his technique this offseason.

“He’s just got to continue to have great practice habits,” Spencer said. “Things come easy to him because he’s a great athlete, but having said that, to perfect your craft and be great at what you do, you have to perfect your craft in practice.

“There’s no boxer that goes out and throws soft punches when he’s working on punching, right? He’s banging that bag and seeing that punch come through. So a defensive lineman, I don’t want to see him come off the ball and be lazy. I’m not telling you he’s being lazy, but his game, to be great, he’s got to develop tremendous practice habits.”

Simpson, a walk-on from Hollidaysburg Area High School, is the backup center to starter Connor McGovern and got to see a good bit of playing time with the second-team offense. He was on the field for 70 offensive snaps, including 46 in the regular-season finale against Maryland in a 66-3 rout.

Offensive line coach Matt Limegrover heaped praise on Simpson.

“It’s always a challenge as a walk-on, but the great thing about Zach is he’s the epitome of a kid who just keeps his mouth shut, comes to work every day, continues to get better,” Limegrover said. “He’s improved, at least in the time I’ve been here, every period that you ask for guys to improve — between the season and spring ball, between spring ball and the start of the next season.

“He’s such a conscientious kid, he knows exactly what he needs to do, and you like having those guys. He’s kind of like a utility infielder for us. He can play a number of positions for us because honestly he’s a very smart young man and does a nice job.”

Simpson feels good about the progress he’s made, saying, “Overall I thought I did a nice job.”

The redshirt sophomore has come a long way in his three years at PSU.

“As a center, I have to know all the calls up front, not just knowing my job, but helping everyone else on the line,” Simpson said. “I feel like I’m pretty good at that and just knowing the offense to help everyone out.”

Areas Simpson said he can improve include “pass blocking, keeping my head and shoulders out. Also, just getting stronger. There’s some big, strong guys in the Big Ten, and I feel like that would be big for me personally just to help run blocking.”

Simpson also plays on special teams. He was on kickoff return at the beginning of the season but now is only on the PAT/field goal unit and backup punt unit.

He hopes to be put on scholarship at some point, and that could happen for Simpson in the next couple of years. It will be tough for him to get a lot of playing time at center because McGovern also is just a sophomore and likely will start the next two years, but that’s not a big concern for Simpson.

“To be honest with you, when I first came here, I didn’t know that I’d even play at all,” Simpson said. “So this far, it’s been nice to even just get on the field. Obviously I’d like to play more, but I accept my role, and I’m just doing what I can with it.”

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today