Frank Ginda Bio
Frank Ginda (born May 26, 1997) is an American professional football linebacker. He played college football at San Jose State University and has spent time with multiple National Football League (NFL) organizations as well as the Alliance of American Football (AAF), the XFL, and the United States Football League (USFL). Standing 6 ft 1 in and competing at 228 lb, he is recognized for his tackling volume and sideline-to-sideline range. As of 2025, Frank Ginda continues his professional career in the USFL with the Michigan Panthers, the franchise where he has enjoyed his most sustained run of production.
Early Life and Background
Frank Ginda was born in San Jose, California, and grew up in the Central Valley town of Los Banos. He attended Pacheco High School, where he developed into a multi-sport athlete. In addition to playing football, he competed in basketball and track and field, an athletic foundation that helped build the speed, endurance, and contact comfort that would later define his linebacker play.
On October 14, 2014, Ginda committed to play football at San Jose State University, choosing the Spartans over other suitors. His decision allowed him to remain in his home state of California and begin a college path that would soon turn him into one of the most productive tacklers in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The transition from a small-town high school standout to a Division I starter marked the first major step in his football journey.
Path to American Football
At San Jose State, Ginda wasted little time establishing himself at the college level. As a true freshman in 2015, he played in 13 games, made 12 starts, and posted 80 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He was named the team’s true freshman of the year, an early sign that his instincts and tackling ability translated quickly to the college game.
Ginda built on that momentum in 2016 with 99 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception across 12 games, including five double-digit tackle outings. His 2017 junior season elevated him to national prominence. Ginda led the FBS with 173 total tackles, a Mountain West Conference single-season record, and earned first-team All-Mountain West honors. After that season, he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year.
Frank Ginda Career
Early Career (2018)
Frank Ginda entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Arizona Cardinals on April 30, 2018. He was waived on June 15, 2018, after a coaching change influenced the Cardinals’ roster decisions. A short time later, on July 24, 2018, Ginda signed with the Miami Dolphins, where he made the most of his preseason opportunity. He totaled 22 tackles, four tackles for loss, and a forced fumble, including a 10-tackle, two-tackle-for-loss performance in a 34-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons. He was waived on the final cut day, September 1, 2018, and was signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad.
AAF and XFL Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Ginda signed with the San Diego Fleet of the Alliance of American Football in 2019. In the short-lived AAF season, he led the team with 41 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble returned for a touchdown before the league folded in April 2019. On May 3, 2019, he signed with the New Orleans Saints, participating in organized team activities and the preseason before being waived on September 1, 2019.
In October 2019, Ginda was selected by the New York Guardians in the open phase of the 2020 XFL draft. He was chosen as one of six team captains and was the youngest player on the roster. He finished the abbreviated 2020 XFL season with 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two quarterback hurries before the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020. Across the AAF and XFL, Ginda proved he could handle heavy snap counts and lead a defense.
Michigan Panthers Era (2022-Present)
Frank Ginda was selected by the Michigan Panthers in the 2022 USFL draft and was elected one of four team captains. In the USFL’s inaugural season, he posted 90 tackles, good for second in the league, along with 10 tackles for loss, four quarterback pressures, two sacks, and one forced fumble. His production made him one of the league’s most dependable linebackers.
In 2023, Ginda produced a career-defining campaign, winning USFL Defensive Player of the Year and earning All-USFL honors. He finished with 115 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles, six pass breakups, and six tackles for loss, while being named USFL Defensive Player of the Week four times in a 10-game season. He was released on August 12, 2023, to pursue an NFL opportunity, signing with the Atlanta Falcons the next day and appearing in two preseason games before bouncing between the practice squad and waiver wire. After a short stint with the Los Angeles Chargers in August 2024, Ginda returned to the Michigan Panthers in 2025, where he was placed on injured reserve on May 12, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ginda’s game is built on high-volume tackling, sharp run-fill instincts, and special-teams toughness. He processes plays quickly at the linebacker level, attacks downhill against the run, and shows dependable open-field tackling form. His willingness to contribute on special teams has also helped him stay on NFL practice squads and roster edges throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
His 173-tackle junior season at San Jose State set the Mountain West Conference single-season record and led the NCAA. In 2023, he was named USFL Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in combined tackles. He has also recorded a forced fumble returned for a touchdown in the AAF and a 10-tackle preseason finale for the Miami Dolphins.
Frank Ginda Career Wins
While individual game-by-game win totals vary by season, Frank Ginda’s most celebrated achievements have come at the college and spring-league levels rather than in traditional NFL win columns. He led the NCAA in tackles in 2017 and won USFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, reflecting his consistent impact on winning defenses.
San Jose State Highlights
Ginda earned first-team All-Mountain West recognition and finished as the NCAA’s leading tackler in 2017, posting 173 total tackles. He recorded double-digit tackles in five games during his 2016 sophomore season and added 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception that year, showing a complete all-around linebacker skill set.
Other Wins & Performances
Ginda captained the New York Guardians in 2020, led the San Diego Fleet in tackles in 2019, and captained the Michigan Panthers to back-to-back strong defensive seasons. He was named USFL Defensive Player of the Week four times in 2023, a clear sign of his weekly impact on results.
Frank Ginda Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Frank Ginda’s family background is not widely documented in public sources. He is known to have grown up in the Los Banos, California, area, where his commitment to Pacheco High School football shaped his athletic development.
Personal Life
Publicly available details about Frank Ginda’s personal life are limited. He is known to keep a presence on social media, where fans can follow his career. As of 2025, no public information is available about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Frank Ginda began the 2025 USFL season with the Michigan Panthers, re-signing with the franchise on January 24, 2025, for his third stint with the club. He continued in a leadership role as a veteran linebacker and team captain. On May 12, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve, interrupting his on-field production for the year.
Even with the injury setback, Ginda’s 2025 outlook is shaped by his track record. The 2023 USFL Defensive Player of the Year still profiles as a tackling anchor when healthy, and his experience with multiple professional leagues gives the Panthers a steady defensive voice. His return from injured reserve will be a key storyline for the franchise.
Looking at the broader 2025 picture, Ginda remains a respected veteran whose resume includes NFL, AAF, XFL, and USFL stops. Whether on the field or in the locker room, his role with the Michigan Panthers is built on production, durability, and leadership that few spring-football players can match.