Penn State Players in Super Bowl 2024

The Super Bowl is exactly one week from today and there are a couple of former Penn State players participating. The big game will be between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. Here is a look at the former Penn State players participating, how their season has been going, and a look back at their time with the Nittany Lions.

Former Penn State Players: 49ers

Ji’Ayir Brown

Rookie safety Ji’Ayir Brown is becoming a rising name within the San Francisco 49ers. Brown was drafted by the 49ers in the 2023 NFL draft with the 87th overall pick in the third round. He started the season with the special teams unit, but with Talanoa Hufanga’s season ending early, Brown had to step up sooner than expected.

Brown began to play with the Nittany Lions in 2020 following his time at Lackawanna Community College. He began the 2020 season as a junior, appearing in nine games. In three years with Penn State, Brown totaled ten interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, nine passes defended, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries, according to Sports Reference. He also ended with nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 153 total tackles.

With the 49ers, Brown began to deal with a knee issue later in the season, but luckily the 49ers clinched the number one seed and could rest their starters by the last game. In the end, Brown played in 15 regular season games, starting in five. He had two interceptions, both coming against the Tampa Bay Buccanneers. This is significant because this was the game Hufanga tore his ACL. Brown had to step up, and those interceptions were crucial. The second one clinched the win. In the postseason, Brown currently has ten combined tackles, five solo, according to Pro Football Reference. Brown is expected to be fully healed and should start in the Super Bowl as a rookie. He will be an important part of the 49ers dominant defense, who must come out energized in the big game.

Kevin Givens

Defensive lineman, Kevin Givens is another defender from Penn State on the 49ers. Givens is not a starter but continues to be a crucial depth piece on the line. The 49ers are no stranger to injuries. Givens is a player they look to when they need someone to step up. The defensive tackle has been with the 49ers since 2019 after not being picked up in the NFL draft. He was actually on the roster for the 2019 team that made the Super Bowl but was not active for the game.

Givens joined the Nittany Lions in 2015, where he did not see any game action. His final season was in 2018. In his four years, Givens made 84 total tackles, 40 solo, 22 tackles for loss, and 13.5 sacks, according to Sports Reference. He also had four passes defended, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. He was not drafted, but he is still a solid player.

This season, Givens played in all 17 games, even getting the start in one. In the regular season, he had 22 combined tackles, 12 solo, three tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Reference. He has also had four QB hits. As for turnovers, he had one fumble recovery this year. Although he has been active for the two games the 49ers have been in, he has not yet made a play. Perhaps in the rotation during the Super Bowl, he will.

Former Penn State Players: Chiefs

Donovan Smith

Offensive tackle, Donovan Smith is a former Penn State player on the Kansas City Chiefs. Smith will be a key player on this Chiefs offensive line, having to stop the 49ers defensive line. Smith was drafted in the 2015 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round with the 34th overall pick.

Smith’s first season with the Nittany Lions was in 2011, though he did not play. He began playing in 2012, and earned the ESPN.com Big Ten All-Freshman team, according to Penn State Athletics. In 2013, the Penn State offense gained at least 350 yards per game, and Smith is a big reason why.

Smith has dealt with injuries this season but is set to play in the Super Bowl against the 49ers. This season he has played 749 snaps, and has only given up two sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. He has also had nine penalties, which will be something to watch for in the big game. Though he was not on the 2019 Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers have been discussing how the Chiefs offensive line is known to hold. This will be something to watch for in the matchup.

The Super Bowl will take place on February 11th between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. Be sure to watch these former Penn State players compete for the Lombardi Trophy.

For a look at other former Big Ten players competing in the Super Bowl, see below:

Iowa players competing, click here.

Michigan players competing, click here.

Michigan State players competing, click here.

Nebraska players competing, click here.

Ohio State players competing, click here.

Purdue players competing, click here.

Rutgers players competing, click here.

Wisconsin players competing, click here.