
The Michigan Panthers signed Frank Ginda on Wednesday. Ginda was the USFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 with the Panthers. He was most recently with the Atlanta Falcons where he participated in the preseason and was later brought back onto the practice roster midseason. The Panthers have also waived defensive end Tyree Johnson.
Ginda is an elite defender possessing great closing speed and positioning instincts. Often it feels as though he is everywhere on the field.
LB Frank Ginda – San Jose State (26 y/o, 6’0, 245 lbs)
Ginda was most recently with the Atlanta Falcons where he participated in the preseason and was later brought back onto the practice roster midseason. It was uncertain if he would be back with the Panthers for the upcoming inaugural UFL season as he was waiting to see if NFL opportunities would be presented.
Ginda was a force with Michigan starting in all 10 regular season games. He led the league in total tackles with 104. Over the regular season, he amassed 51 solo tackles, 53 assisted tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 tackles for a loss, and a sack. He added 6 solo tackles, 5 assisted tackles, and a sack in the Panthers playoff loss.
Speaks played for the Panthers in 2022 as well contributing 42 solo tackles, 48 assisted tackles, and a sack.
In 2020 Ginda played in the XFL for New York where he played in 5 games with 2 starts contributing 11 solo tackles, 12 assisted tackles, and a sack. Ginda played for the San Diego Fleet in the Alliance of American Football in 2019 where he made 23 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles over 8 games with 2 starts.
Ginda signed as an undrafted free agent in 2018 with the Arizona Cardinals. Following coaching changes he was released and soon after signed with the Miami Dolphins in July where he spent the season on the practice squad. Ginda signed with the New Orleans Saints ahead of the 2019 season and was among players released during final roster cuts.
He played his collegiate ball at San Jose State from 2015 to 2017 appearing in 38 games with 35 starts. He contributed 185 solo tackles, 166 assisted tackles, 9.5 sacks, and an interception with the program. Ginda was First-team All-Mountain West in 2017.
DE Tyree Johnson – Texas A&M (26 y/o, 6’0, 245 lbs)
Tyree Johnson played for Texas A&M from 2018 to 2021 after redshirting in 2017. He appeared in 47 games with 24 starts generating 52 solo tackles, 48 assisted tackles, and 18 sacks with the program.
Johnson signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and was waived on August 1. He signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL in January of 2023 and was released in early June. Shortly after his release from the Argonauts, he signed with the Michigan Panthers who protected him through the UFL dispersal draft phases.
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2 Comments
by Ken Granito
As teams jockey to make moves before the deadline, there are some moves to be made. Could there be a Sal Cannella in Arlington? How about Benny Snell Jr, Johnnie Dixon, Juwan Green, Auden Tate, or how about Rashad Ross in DC if he still has the hops of course. I am going to focus on role players that you may need on a team especially if you aren’t going for the home run. Mason Stokke he can block and make any catch, play tight end or fullback. Hunter Thedford. He blocks so well coaches have asked him to move to tackle. Maybe a 3rd tight-end he’ll move the pile and catch some balls along the way. 3rd down back Paul Terry at your service. A well rounded player. Like Chris Rowland you ask him to do anything he will including excel on special teams tackles. If you want more upside and need a true backup with starter potential try Trey Williams. Garrett Groshek, a tough runner, pass receiver and underrated blocker. Lost his chance to play just as he was starting to really run. De’ Juan Hines, DQ Thomas, Nate Holley, Trae Elston and Paris Ford will all play the D. For specialists Brandon Wright and Nick Sciba are out there.
by Ken Granito
Jonathan, what do you think of Taylor Cornelius as a pre-camp signing? 1. Playing the Canadian game, would he be someone the UFL would want. 2. Would he think of trying football in the US again. He is no MBT, but I always felt he had some chops. What are your thoughts? I got more of a feel, but didn’t get to watch all that much.