The Michigan Panthers signed linebacker Frank Ginda and released defensive end Tyree Johnson on Wednesday.
Frank Ginda is six foot and weighs 225 pounds. The 26-year-old from Los Banos, California, made 104 tackles (48 solo, 56 assists), three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and five pass breakups in ten games for the Panthers in 2023.
In the playoffs, Ginda made 11 tackles (6 solo, 5 assists), two tackles for loss, and one sack against the Pittsburgh Maulers. Ginda was named USFL Defensive Player of the Year and made the USFL All-Star Team.
After the season, Ginda signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He played two preseason games with 12 tackles (3 solo, 9 assists). After he was released by the Falcons on August 29, 2023, Ginda re-signed with the Panthers on October 1, 2023. Ginda had two stints on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad in 2023.
The Panthers drafted Ginda in the 30th round (244th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. Ginda made 90 tackles (42 solo, 48 assists), six tackles for loss, one sack, and one pass breakup in ten games for the Panthers in 2022.
Before Michigan, Ginda signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018. He later spent time with the Miami Dolphins, San Diego Fleet (AAF), New Orleans Saints, and the New York Guardians (XFL).
Collegiately, Ginda played three seasons at San Jose State (2015-17) with 352 tackles (186 solo, 166 assists), 29 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and seven pass breakups in 38 games for the Spartans. He was named First Team All-Mountain West in 2017.
Tyree Johnson is six foot four and weighs 240 pounds. The 24-year-old from Washington, D.C., signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 but was released during training camp.
Next, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in 2023 making one tackle in one preseason game against the Ottawa Redblacks. Then, Johnson signed with the Michigan Panthers on June 12, 2023, but did not play a game for them.
Collegiately, Johnson played four seasons at Texas A&M (2018-21) with 100 tackles (52 solo, 48 assists), 23.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, two pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in 47 games for the Aggies.
In his final season in 2021, Johnson had 31 tackles (20 solo, 11 assists), nine tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 12 games. He was named AP All-SEC Second Team.
In his freshman year, Johnson had 14 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in 13 games. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
