2018 Raiders Draft Prospect Profile

Name: Frank Ginda

Position: LB

School: San Jose State University

Height: 6ft

Weight: 245 pounds

Stats



If you are a casual football fan, or do not live in Mountain West territory, the name Frank Ginda may escape you. Ginda, the nation’s leading tackler in 2017 anchored the Spartans’ defense. Although he detonates ballcarriers, Ginda relies on technique.

Interview

The Raiders look to solve linebacker issues. What makes you the piece to the puzzle?

As a player, I am a guy with a football IQ that is through the roof. With having a high IQ of the game, this allows me to make plays all over the field. I pride myself on executing my job every play and every down with 100% effort. I also do a great job of leading by example and helping players grow with me that ultimately leads to defensive success.

During your SJSU career, you tallied over 350 tackles, what are your keys to making a sound tackle? What do you look for into making a stop?

First, it is all about knowing the correct angle to take in order to put yourself in position to make a sound tackle. This comes from understanding the playbook and knowing where your “help” in the run game is. After you understand the overall plan for executing the defensive plays, you will put yourself in better position for making tackles. When you approach the runner, you must strike near foot, near shoulder, which helps you bring all your power into the hit, then run your feet on contact.

You forced six fumbles at SJSU, how did you learn such technique?

Most of the fumbles I forced were from simply striking the runner or putting my helmet or hand on the nose of the football. One thing that we did in practice to emphasize turnovers was trying to strip the ball every down in thud situations. This developed a mindset to pursue the ball.

What are your strengths as a LB?

-Instinct

-Shedding blocks

-Sure Tackler

-Play sideline to sideline (make plays anywhere)

-Solid Pass rusher

-High motor

-Leader

-Playmaker/Cause turnovers

-Solid in passing situations

What will you look to improve upon?

-Footwork in passing game

-develop better pass rush counter moves

Raiders DC Paul Guenther is a former linebacker, so is GM Reggie McKenzie. As a MLB, what will be the three hardest adjustments do you think you must make?

-Adapting to the speed of the NFL. It is a faster game than college and requires you to be fast since everyone in the league is.

-Learning the playbook (which I do well). I will need to know all the checks, plays, adjustments, etc.

-Getting better technique in order to help myself defeat NFL lineman. At this level, you must defeat blockers as a linebacker.

In reality, Ginda could fit what the Raiders seek in a linebacker. Whether as depth or in a starting capacity, McKenzie and Guenther appreciate tackling machines like Ginda. With the Raiders needing linebackers, Ginda could easily fit into any scheme. More importantly, he neither lacks for confidence. In 17 of his 37 games, Ginda tallied double-digit tackles.