WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University football running back Jaden Shirden has been named the inaugural recipient of the Walter Camp Foundation FCS Player of the Year award, the organization announced.

Shirden will be presented his award at Walter Camp Football Foundation's 57th annual Black Tie National Awards Dinner on the campus of Yale University on March 16.

Shirden, the two-time CAA Offensive Player of the Year, finished the 2023 regular season as the nation's leading rusher for the second consecutive season. Entering the year at seventh on Monmouth's all-time rushing yardage list, Shirden's 1,478 yards on the ground in 2023 saw him rise to third, and his 10 touchdowns on the season brought him into the program's top-10. The junior notched seven 100+ rushing yard games including two games eclipsing the 250 mark.

His biggest game came at home on October 14 against Hampton where he ran for 276 yards and scored a career-best four touchdowns – including a 63-yard score and 72-yard score – on 16 carries. Two weeks later at No. 24/22 William & Mary, the West Haven, CT native ran for two touchdowns while notching 251 yards on 21 carries.

Shirden, who finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting, recently participated in the 99th annual East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas and the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Shirden is looking to become the third Monmouth football player selected in the NFL Draft, which begins on April 25.