The Los Angeles Chargers today signed linebacker Frank Ginda and safety Jalyn Phillips. In corresponding moves, the team waived quarterback Max Duggan and wide receiver Leon Johnson.
Ginda comes to the Bolts after playing with the Michigan Panthers in the United Football League (UFL) in 2024 and in the United States Football League (USFL) from 2022-23. In 2023, Ginda earned USFL Defensive Player of the Year and All-USFL honors after leading all defenders with 104 tackles, while adding three tackles for loss, three interceptions, five passes defensed and a sack. He also played for the XFL's New York Guardians in 2020 and the Alliance of American Football's San Diego Fleet in 2019. Ginda spent time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, signing with the Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2018.
A native of Los Banos, Calif., Ginda played three seasons (2015-17) at San Jose State, finishing his Spartans career ranked No. 9 in program history with 352 tackles and 10th in school annals with 29 tackles for loss. He was a first-team All-Mountain West selection in 2017 after setting a conference record with 173 tackles leading the nation in tackles per game (13.3). Ginda will wear No. 38 for the Chargers.
Phillips spent the offseason with the Chargers after signing as an undrafted free agent in May. In five seasons (2019-23) at Clemson, he started 29-of-60 career games and recorded 149 tackles (86 solo), five tackles for loss, two interceptions, 11 passes defensed, a sack and a forced fumble. In 2022, Phillips started all 14 games for the Tigers, setting career highs in tackles (74) and solo stops (42). Phillips will wear No. 35 for the Chargers.
