On Wednesday, the Michigan Panthers made a couple of free agency additions for the 2025 UFL season. RB Jaden Shirden and WR Malik Turner agreed to terms with Michigan, bringing depth to both position groups ahead of this upcoming campaign.
The #UFL has announced the following transactions pic.twitter.com/ReyN59dVVI
— UFL Communications Department (@UFL_PR) January 8, 2025
RB Jaden Shirden
General Manager Steve Kazor loves to target some small school guys from time to time. The latest of those pickups is RB Jaden Shirden, out of Monmouth. He’s a talented young back who’s got plenty of upside, and now joins a backfield that already boasts quite a bit of talent.
Jaden played three seasons of college ball at Monmouth, opting to declare for the NFL draft instead of playing his senior season. During three years at Monmouth, Jaden racked up 3,697 rushing yards (3rd All-Time at Monmouth) – and 26 touchdowns.
The Michigan Panthers are signing RB Jaden Shirden from @MUHawksFB
He had a decorated collegiate career at Monmouth that included:
2x @CAAFootball OPOY
2x FCS All-American
2x FCS rushing leader
Walter Payton award finalist
14 rushing TDs of 50+ yardsI don’t think he lost… pic.twitter.com/xGOTOsZl5Z
— United Football Media (@The_UFM) January 8, 2025
Shirden was named to multiple All-American teams across his time at Monmouth, and was also named as the Walter Camp Foundation FCS Player of the Year in 2023. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an UDFA this past spring, and had 47 rushing yards in the 2024 NFL preseason.
What makes this signing intriguing is how Michigan’s running back room is already shaped. They have Matt Colburn, Nate McCrary, and Toa Taua already rostered – so Jaden will have his work cut out for him to make the team in Training Camp.
WR Malik Turner
On the other hand, Malik Turner is a vet in the pro scene that now looks to get his pro career back on track in the UFL.
Turner played his college…