NFL Draft 2024: Wall long-snapper, Monmouth running back sign as free agents

Former Wall High School standout Joe Shimko will get a chance to realize his NFL dream.

The North Carolina State long snapper will be joining the Arizona Cardinals as a free agent, agreeing shortly after the NFL Draft ended with the final pick in the seventh round Saturday night.

Also undrafted was Monmouth University All-American running back Jaden Shirden, who signed as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers.

Last season, Shimko won the Patrick Mannelly Award, given each year to the nation’s top long-snapper, after he was a two-time semifinalist for the honor.

The Belmar native picked up long snapping as a sophomore at Wall, where he also played linebacker. He was named a high school All-American in 2019.

More: NC State Wolfpack football: Wall NJ grad Joe Shimko excelling on and off the field

Shimko will contend to be at least the second former Wall High School players to play in the NFL, with receiver Tim Wright, who played at Rutgers, playing five seasons in the NFL, earning a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots in 2014.

Long-snapping has become a path to a long NFL career for several former Shore Conference players. Middletown South’s Rick Lovato, who played at Old Dominion, will enter his ninth season with the Philadelphia Eagles, securing a Super Bowl ring during the 2017 season. And Manahawkin’s Clark Harris, who played at Southern Regional and Rutgers, spent 15 seasons in the NFL long snapping, including 14 with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Shirden signs with Carolina Panthers

Over the last two seasons, Shirden established himself as one of the most dynamic players in the country, at any level.

Now Shirden will get a chance to prove himself in the NFL, with the West Hartford, Connecticut native agreeing to sign as a free agent with the Carolina Panthers Saturday night. At 5-8, 187, Shirden declared himself eligible for the NFL Draft with one year of eligibility remaining.

In addition, offensive lineman Greg Anderson was invited to attend the Jets upcoming rookie mini-camp.

A game-changer from the time he broke a pair of 75 yards TD runs as a freshman, Shirden ran for 299 yards against Fordham in the second game of his sophomore season in 2022 and his career took off from there.

By season’s end, Shirden had rushed for 1,722 yards, with gaudy 7.8 yards-per-carry and 156.5 yards-per-game averages, all tops in the nation. He broke nine runs of 50 yards or more, topped 200 yards in a game four times and was one of four finalist for the Walter Peyton Award, given annually to the top FCS player.

Last season, Shirden was once against a finalist for the Walter Peyton Award, leading the nation with 1,478 yards, while showing his ability to get tough yards as defenses crowded the line of scrimmage.

“I am beyond grateful for this opportunity to join the Carolina Panthers organization,” he said. "I am looking forward to getting to Charlotte and achieving success at the next level. I want to thank everyone who helped me get to this point, including my teammates, coaches and trainers, for all of their support.”

Shirden was seeking to become just the third Monmouth player to get drafted. The first was tight end John Nalbone, taken in 2009 by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round, the 161^st pick overall. Nalbone played for the Dolphins that season and spent time on the practice squads of five different teams over a four-year period.

Wide receiver Neal Sterling, who stared at Manasquan, was drafted in the seventh round in 2015 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the 220th pick overall. Sterling spent two seasons with the Jaguars, who converted him to a tight end, catching 12 passes in 2016. He spent time with the Jets and Chiefs over the next three seasons.

Monmouth’s most accomplished pro was Miles Austin, an All-Pro wide out with the Dallas Cowboys who was undrafted in 2006. He spent 10 seasons in the NFL, including one-year stints with the Browns and Eagles to close his career, finishing with 361 receptions and 37 TDs.

Shirden, a native of West Haven, Connecticut, ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

A CAA running back did get drafted, with New Hampshire all-purpose back Dylan Laube taken in the sixth round by the Las Vegas Raiders. The Jets took South Dakota State running back Isaiah Davis (6-0, 217), also a Walter Peyton finalist, in the fifth round.

Check back right here for more on players with Shore Area roots who sign as NFL free agents.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NFL Draft 2024: Wall long-snapper, Monmouth RB sign as free agents