Jaden Shirden Bio
Jaden Shirden (born May 2, 2002) is an American professional football running back. He is best known for his record-setting college career at Monmouth University, where he earned multiple conference and national honors, and for his subsequent transition through several professional leagues. Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing around 189 pounds, Shirden has built a career as a compact, productive back.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NFL Draft, he signed with the Carolina Panthers and later moved through the United Football League, suiting up for the Michigan Panthers and the San Antonio Brahmas. He currently plays for the Louisville Kings, where he was selected in the 2026 UFL Draft and helped the franchise capture a UFL championship.
Early Life and Background
Jaden Shirden was born on May 2, 2002, in West Haven, Connecticut. He grew up in the New England region and attended St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut. At St. Joseph, he developed into a capable running back and attracted attention from college programs for his speed and vision between the tackles.
Coming out of high school, Shirden chose to continue his football career at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. The decision to play for the Monmouth Hawks allowed him to stay relatively close to home while competing at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision level. His time at St. Joseph helped lay the foundation for the production he would later display at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Shirden arrived at Monmouth as part of the Hawks’ 2021 recruiting class and quickly adjusted to the college game. During his freshman season in 2021, he rushed 77 times for 497 yards and three touchdowns, showing enough promise to earn an expanded role the following year. His early production suggested a back who could handle a heavy workload in a run-oriented offense.
In 2022, Shirden broke out in a major way. In a matchup against Fordham, he set a Monmouth school record with 299 rushing yards in a single game. He finished that season with 1,722 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, performances that earned him the CAA Offensive Player of the Year award and first-team All-CAA recognition. He was also named a second-team FCS All-American and became a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in FCS football.
Shirden followed that breakout with another strong campaign in 2023, rushing 221 times for 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns. He repeated as CAA Offensive Player of the Year, earned first-team All-CAA honors for a second time, and was selected as a first-team FCS All-American. After the 2023 season, he declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, closing his college career as one of the most productive backs in Monmouth history.
Jaden Shirden Career
Early Career (2021–2023)
Shirden’s development at Monmouth progressed steadily across three seasons. His freshman year offered a glimpse of his potential, but the 2022 and 2023 seasons established him as one of the premier running backs in the Colonial Athletic Association. Over those two years, he piled up more than 3,200 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns, becoming a focal point of the Hawks’ offense.
His ability to produce at a high level in back-to-back seasons earned him consecutive conference player of the year awards, two All-American selections, and national attention as a Walter Payton Award finalist. By the time he declared for the draft, he was widely regarded as one of the most accomplished FCS running backs in recent memory.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024)
After going unselected in the 2024 NFL Draft, Jaden Shirden signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2024. He joined a crowded running back room and competed for a roster spot throughout the spring and preseason. His opportunity to earn a role with Carolina ultimately fell short, as he was waived on August 27, 2024.
Although his time with the Panthers was brief, the signing marked Shirden’s first step into professional football and confirmed that NFL teams viewed him as a legitimate prospect despite his smaller frame.
Michigan Panthers Era (2025)
On January 8, 2025, Shirden signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United Football League, the spring league that merged the former XFL and USFL. The move gave him a chance to resume his professional career and showcase his skills on a weekly stage. He spent the early part of the 2025 UFL season with Michigan before being waived on May 12, 2025.
His stint with the Michigan Panthers allowed him to readjust to the speed of professional football after his release from Carolina and helped him build momentum heading into his next opportunity.
San Antonio Brahmas Era (2025)
Shirden was claimed off waivers by the San Antonio Brahmas on May 12, 2025, immediately after his release from Michigan. He quickly carved out a role on special teams and as a complementary offensive piece. In Week 9, he recorded three kickoff returns for 150 yards, including an 86-yard return that set up a Brahmas field goal just before halftime, earning him UFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
That performance highlighted his versatility and explosiveness in the return game, areas where his speed and compact build proved advantageous.
Louisville Kings Era (2026–Present)
On January 13, 2026, Shirden was selected by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL Draft, signaling a fresh start with a new franchise. He integrated into the Kings’ backfield and contributed during the 2026 UFL season. That year, the Louisville Kings captured the UFL championship, and Shirden was part of the title-winning roster, earning a UFL champion recognition for the 2026 season.
Moving to Louisville has given Shirden an opportunity to compete for a larger offensive role while continuing to contribute on special teams. His blend of experience, vision, and acceleration has made him a useful piece of the Kings’ roster as the franchise builds around its recent success.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shirden is a compact, low-center-of-gravity running back whose game relies on quickness, balance, and vision rather than sheer size. He excels at finding creases in zone-blocking schemes, accelerating through the second level, and finishing runs with forward lean. His value extends beyond traditional running back duties, as he has proven effective as a kickoff returner, using his speed and field awareness to flip field position.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Shirden’s career are his 299-yard rushing performance against Fordham in 2022, his back-to-back CAA Offensive Player of the Year awards in 2022 and 2023, and his Walter Payton Award finalist recognition. Professionally, his 86-yard kickoff return for the San Antonio Brahmas and his UFL championship with the Louisville Kings stand out as signature achievements.
Jaden Shirden Career Wins
Across his college and professional career, Jaden Shirden has accumulated a series of individual and team accomplishments. His production at Monmouth, highlighted by two 1,000-yard rushing seasons, paired with conference and national awards, established him as one of the most decorated backs in program history.
Monmouth Hawks Highlights
Shirden’s two standout seasons at Monmouth came in 2022 and 2023. In 2022, he rushed for 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning CAA Offensive Player of the Year and second-team FCS All-American honors. In 2023, he added 1,478 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, repeating as CAA Offensive Player of the Year and earning first-team FCS All-American recognition.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his college résumé, Shirden earned the UFL Special Teams Player of the Week award during his time with the San Antonio Brahmas in 2025. He later won a UFL championship with the Louisville Kings in 2026, capping his professional breakthrough with a team title.
Jaden Shirden Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Jaden Shirden’s immediate family is limited. He grew up in West Haven, Connecticut, and attended St. Joseph High School in nearby Trumbull, where he developed his football skills before heading to Monmouth.
Personal Life
Shirden keeps his personal life largely private. He maintains an active social media presence and is represented online by the handles associated with his name and jersey number 20. He remains focused on his professional football career as he continues his journey in the United Football League.
2025 Season Performance
Jaden Shirden’s 2025 season unfolded across two UFL franchises. He opened the year with the Michigan Panthers after signing in January, working to establish himself in the spring league following his release from the Carolina Panthers. That stretch allowed him to shake off the rust of a year away from game action and reminded coaches of his explosiveness as a runner and returner.
Midseason, on May 12, 2025, Shirden was claimed off waivers by the San Antonio Brahmas and immediately stepped into a special teams role. His Week 9 breakout, three kickoff returns for 150 yards with a long of 86 yards, earned him the UFL Special Teams Player of the Week award and signaled his growing comfort in the Brahmas’ system.
His 2025 campaign ended with the Brahmas, setting the stage for his selection by the Louisville Kings in the 2026 UFL Draft. The season reinforced his value as a versatile back and returner, and it positioned him to compete for an expanded offensive role heading into the championship run that followed.