{"id":182378,"date":"2024-07-22T11:30:57","date_gmt":"2024-07-22T15:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=182378"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:00:37","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T15:00:37","slug":"will-panthers-rookie-jaden-shirden-continue-make-big-plays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/07\/22\/will-panthers-rookie-jaden-shirden-continue-make-big-plays\/","title":{"rendered":"Will Panthers Rookie Jaden Shirden Continue to Shine During Training Camp?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Capping a breakout season at <a  href=\"https:\/\/monmouthhawks.com\/sports\/football\/roster\/jaden-shirden\/17802\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Monmouth, Jaden Shirden<\/a> took\u00a0an opening-series handoff and quickly recognized an opening between the left guard and tackle. The speedy running back hit the hole and outran Stony Brook\u2019s defense for one of his signature long touchdown runs.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The 64-yarder helped propel the Hawks to a win and Shirden into the college football limelight. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/boxscore\/_\/gameId\/401424411\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">His 155 yards in the 2022 season finale<\/a> may not have made <em>SportsCenter<\/em>, but it helped him clinch the first of back-to-back FCS rushing titles.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">How do undersized, small-college running backs get noticed by NFL scouts? <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Big-play ability helps.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">When \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 rookies report to \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a>\u2069 training camp July 19, small-college RB Jaden Shirden (37) will begin his long-odds quest to make the 53-man roster \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/hF8j0cxCOs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/hF8j0cxCOs<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1810883689485848934?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jaden Shirden Enters 1st NFL Training Camp <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shirden scored on 14 career runs of 50 yards or more in three seasons for the Colonial Athletic Association program and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/panthers\/\" target=\"_self\">Carolina Panthers<\/a>\u2019 scouting staff took notice. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Their interest increased after Shirden posted a 1.51-second 10-yard split, the field\u2019s top time, and a 4.45-second 40-yard dash. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Despite the noteworthy effort, Shirden was not selected during the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.thecharlottepost.com\/news\/2024\/04\/26\/panthers\/panthers-trade-up-late-draft-speedy-wr-xavier-legette\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">NFL Draft in April<\/a>. He quickly signed a free-agent contract with the Panthers and participated in their offseason program. On Friday, he reported with the rest of the team\u2019s rookies for training camp. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The first full-squad workout at the new practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium is scheduled for Wednesday. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shirden has long odds to make the 53-man roster. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder opens training camp as the No. 7 running back on the depth chart, behind Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, rookie Jonathon Brooks, Rashaad Penny, Raheem Blackshear, and Mike Boone. Shirden said he remains unfazed by the competition. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt\u2019s a great group,\u201d Shirden said following mandatory minicamp on June 12. \u201cThis is my dream. I\u2019m learning the system and really just enjoying myself.\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI have my goal in mind, which is to make the roster. One step at a time.\u201d <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">That first step likely will come on special teams. Shirden said he will benefit from the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/5613482\/2024\/07\/18\/new-nfl-kickoff-rules-2024-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">league&#8217;s new kick return rules<\/a>.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cThe thing for me as a returner, it\u2019s a plus,\u201d he said. \u201cOnce we get the ball and secure it, really, you play running back. You just got to pick a hole, read your blocks and do what you do best.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cIt should be fun. It\u2019s a plus for returners.\u201d\u00a0 <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Panthers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Panthers<\/a>\u2069 rookie RB Jaden Shirden (37) listens to pre-snap coaching as \u2066<a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@NFL<\/a>\u2069 teams adapt to new special teams rules \u2026 <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/KeepPounding?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#KeepPounding<\/a> <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/j531oAZ7Fl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/j531oAZ7Fl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WriterHawkins\/status\/1810887065287987351?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 10, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Panthers RB Coach Bernie Parmalee: \u2018He\u2019s A Player\u2019<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Throughout rookie minicamp, three phases of offseason training activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp, Shirden has been guided by first-year running backs coach Bernie Parmalee. More than guided. Parmalee, a former undrafted free-agent running back himself, continues serving as a mentor. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/P\/ParmBe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Parmalee earned a role on the 1992 Miami Dolphins<\/a> and spent the next nine seasons with the Dolphins and New York Jets. The former Ball State standout amassed 2,179 career yards and 17 touchdowns. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cHe\u2019s been in my shoes,\u201d Shirden said. \u201cHe\u2019s actually someone I look up to. Everything he says, he\u2019s done. So, I want to listen and take in all the little things that he mentions.\u201d <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At Monmouth, Shirden compiled 3,697 career rushing yards, highlighted by 17 100-yard outings and six 200-yard games. In 2022 and &#8217;23, he earned CAA Offensive Player of the Year recognition. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cHe\u2019s a player,\u201d Parmalee said. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Will Shirden be able to show enough during training camp? Parmalee is proof he has a chance. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cYou just worry about what you can do,\u201d Parmalee said. \u201cIt\u2019s not about anybody else. So, your ops, kill those ops, and see where it takes you. As long as you focus on you and what you have to do, it usually works out.\u201d <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Shirden understands his true test is underway. He remains confident his big-play skills will \u201ctranslate\u201d to the NFL level, beginning with creating big plays on special teams. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cDefinitely,\u201d Shirden said. \u201cI\u2019ve shown a little bit since I\u2019ve been here. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cTraining camp is where you\u2019re going to showcase it even more.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Monmouth?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Monmouth<\/a> RB Jaden Shirden has that second gear you want in your running back. Wastes no time getting north and south and allowing his speed to do the rest.<\/p>\n<p>Credited with 41 forced missed tackles and 33 runs of 10+ yards or more in 2023. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/yGZGKBjJNm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/yGZGKBjJNm<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RealD_Jackson\/status\/1777344777937129642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Main Photo: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Undrafted out of Monmouth, Panthers rookie Jaden Shirden enters training camp confident he can continue to make an impression and big plays.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4299,"featured_media":182488,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36,30],"tags":[32690,7661],"class_list":["post-182378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-news","category-panthers","tag-jaden-shirden","tag-panthers-featured"],"modified_by":"Will Koshover, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182378","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4299"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182378"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182378\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182488"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}