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Ckelby Givens vs Texas Southern
Michael Odendahl

Football Willie D. Scott, Associate Director of Strategic Communications | Director of Media Relations

Ckelby Givens Selected As The 2025 Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year

BIRMINGHAM, AL-The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced its 2025 Preseason All-SWAC Football selections on Monday morning ahead of the league's media day on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Senior defensive end Ckelby Givens was selected as the 2025 Preseason SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. 

Givens finished the 2024 season ranked number one in the country in FCS football and led the SWAC in tackles for loss (27.5) and finished second in the conference in sacks. He was named All-SWAC First Team and an HBCU BOXTOROW All-American Team selection, 2024 Phil Steele 2nd Team All-American, 2024 Stats Perform FCS All-American, and HBCU+ National Player of the Year Award Finalist. A dominant force off the edge for the Jaguars, finishing with 73 tackles, including 42 solo stops, with 27.5 tackles for loss for a total of 96 yards, ten quarterback hurries, twelve sacks, four fumbles, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown.

'It's an Honor and Blessing for Ckelby Givens to be recognized by the Coaches and SID's to be named Pre-Season Defensive Player of the Year. Ckelby continues to improve to get better year after year, and exemplifies the high standards we live by at Southern University, said head coach Terrence Graves. He works extremely hard to get better on and off the field. He's earned the right with his hard work and dedication, and we are proud of him.

About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country. Currently, it ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams. 

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.

Women's competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.

Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.

FOLLOW THE JAGUARS
For complete coverage of Southern University Athletics, please follow the Jaguars on social media at @SouthernUsports(Twitter), @SouthernUJaguars (Facebook), @southernusports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Southern University Athletics at www.gojagsports.com

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Players Mentioned

Ckelby Givens

#92 Ckelby Givens

DT
6' 2"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Ckelby Givens

#92 Ckelby Givens

6' 2"
Sophomore
DT