Jackson Sirmon Bio
Jackson Sirmon is an American professional football linebacker who currently plays for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 15, 2000, in Brentwood, Tennessee, Sirmon developed his football foundation in the Nashville area before embarking on a notable college career that took him from the University of Washington to the University of California, Berkeley. His impressive 2022 season with the California Golden Bears earned him first-team All-Pac-12 honors, establishing him as a promising NFL prospect. Sirmon pursued professional opportunities by signing with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2024, joining their organization as he began his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Jackson Sirmon grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee, where he attended Loyola High School before transferring to Brentwood Academy for his final years of high school football. At Brentwood Academy, Sirmon developed into a productive defensive player, recording 59 tackles including 13 tackles for loss and ten sacks during his high school career. His performance at the high school level demonstrated the defensive instincts and playmaking ability that would characterize his later collegiate career. Sirmon excelled academically and athletically, positioning himself as a Division I prospect.
Following his standout high school career, Sirmon committed to play college football at the University of Washington, joining the Washington Huskies program. His upbringing in Tennessee provided him with a strong football culture, and his family background included professional football connections through his father Peter Sirmon, who carved out his own career in the sport as both a player and coach.
Path to Professional Football
Sirmon began his college journey at the University of Washington, where he played for the Huskies from 2018 through 2021. As a freshman in 2018, he recorded one tackle and a forced fumble, showing flashes of his potential in limited playing time. The 2019 season saw increased production, with Sirmon finishing the year with 28 tackles and two tackles for loss, while also contributing a fumble recovery. His most memorable moment that season came in the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl, where he recovered a fumble to help the Huskies defeat Boise State.
The 2020 season, shortened due to external circumstances, still provided Sirmon opportunities to showcase his skills. He had a career-defining performance against Utah in 2020, accumulating nine tackles and recovering a fumble in a victory. Sirmon finished that season with 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and another fumble recovery. His 2021 season marked a breakthrough, as he recorded his first career interception in a redzone takeaway against Stanford, helping Washington secure a 20-13 win. Sirmon concluded his Washington career with a breakout season, tallying 91 tackles, four tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Following his successful tenure at Washington, Sirmon entered the transfer portal and chose to continue his college career at the University of California, Berkeley, joining the California Golden Bears. The move to Berkeley proved transformative for his development as a linebacker and defensive playmaker.
Jackson Sirmon Career
California Golden Bears (2022–2023)
Sirmon wasted no time making an impact with the California Golden Bears. In week three of the 2022 season, he delivered a standout performance against Notre Dame, recording 15 tackles with two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in a closely contested game. His consistency continued throughout the season, including an interception against Colorado in week seven. Perhaps his most memorable moment came in week twelve, when Sirmon recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to secure a 27-20 victory over Stanford.
The 2022 season represented Sirmon’s finest collegiate campaign. He accumulated 104 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass deflections, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and a touchdown. His exceptional all-around performance earned him first-team All-Pac-12 recognition, validating his decision to transfer and solidifying his reputation as one of the conference’s top linebackers. Following the season, Sirmon announced his return to California for his final year of collegiate eligibility.
Heading into the 2023 season, Sirmon received significant recognition as a preseason first-team All-Pac-12 selection and was named a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. He appeared on several prestigious award watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Butkus Award, which honor the nation’s top defensive player and top linebacker respectively. His senior season represented the culmination of his collegiate development and positioned him for professional opportunities.
New York Jets (2024–Present)
Sirmon pursued his NFL dreams by entering the 2024 NFL Draft. Despite going undrafted, his collegiate credentials attracted interest from NFL teams. He signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024, officially beginning his professional career. Sirmon joined a Jets organization looking to build depth at the linebacker position as they prepared for the 2024 season.
After joining the Jets, Sirmon worked to earn a roster spot during training camp and the preseason. He was waived during final roster cuts in August 2024 but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad, where he continued developing and learning the professional level. His perseverance and continued development led to additional opportunities with the organization. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Jets on January 6, 2025, indicating the team’s continued interest in his potential.
Driving Style and Strengths
While Sirmon is a linebacker rather than a driver, his defensive playing style demonstrates several key strengths that translate to his position. He displays excellent instincts for locating the football and making tackles in space. His fumble recovery abilities and forced turnovers highlight his playmaking instincts. Sirmon’s versatility allows him to contribute both against the run and in pass coverage, making him a complete linebacker prospect. His experience playing multiple seasons at major college programs provided him with diverse defensive schemes and responsibilities.
Notable Events and Milestones
Sirmon’s career features several notable milestones across his collegiate and professional journey. His first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022 stands as his most significant individual achievement to date. The 2022 season also produced his first career fumble recovery for a touchdown against Stanford, a momentum-shifting play that secured victory for California. His NFL debut and signing with the Jets marked his transition to professional football, representing the culmination of years of development from high school in Tennessee through two major college programs.
Jackson Sirmon Career Highlights
Across his collegiate career spanning the University of Washington and University of California, Sirmon established himself as a productive and versatile linebacker with consistent tackle production and playmaking ability. His professional career began with the New York Jets organization following the 2024 NFL Draft.
California Golden Bears Highlights
Sirmon’s most productive statistical season came with California in 2022, where he accumulated 104 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 4 pass deflections, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble, and 1 touchdown. His first-team All-Pac-12 recognition validated his status as one of the conference’s elite linebackers. The touchdown he scored on a fumble recovery against Stanford demonstrated his ability to make game-changing plays. His 2021 season at Washington also showed promise with 91 tackles and his first career interception against Stanford.
Other Notable Performances
Throughout his college career, Sirmon showed consistent improvement year over year. His tackle production increased from modest beginnings at Washington to his breakout 2022 campaign at California. His multiple forced turnovers and fumble recoveries across both programs highlight his ability to create scoring opportunities for his team. The recognition he received as a preseason All-American and watch list honoree entering the 2023 season reflected the respect he earned from national analysts.
Jackson Sirmon Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Jackson Sirmon comes from a distinguished football family through his father, Peter Sirmon. Peter Sirmon carved out his own successful career in professional football, serving as an NFL linebacker before transitioning into coaching. Peter Sirmon later became the linebackers coach for the New Orleans Saints, continuing his contributions to the sport at the highest professional level. This family legacy provided Jackson with unique insights into the demands of professional football from an early age, shaping his development as both a player and student of the game.
Personal Life
Beyond his football career, Sirmon maintains family connections within the sport. He is the cousin of former Cleveland Browns quarterback Jacob Sirmon, keeping the family tradition of football excellence alive across multiple generations and positions. Growing up in Brentwood, Tennessee, Sirmon benefited from the football-rich environment of the Nashville area, which helped foster his passion and development for the sport. His Twitter and Instagram profiles allow fans to follow his professional journey as he continues his NFL career.
2025 Season Performance
As of the 2025 season, Jackson Sirmon remains part of the New York Jets organization, having signed a reserve/future contract in January 2025. His continued presence on the roster demonstrates the Jets’ interest in his long-term development as a linebacker. Sirmon faces the challenge of earning increased playing time and potentially securing a spot on the active roster after spending time on the practice squad during his rookie season.
The 2025 season represents an important chapter in Sirmon’s professional development as he looks to build upon his collegiate success at the NFL level. Working within the Jets’ defensive system, he continues refining his skills and adapting to the speed and complexity of professional football. His family background in the sport, combined with his proven collegiate production, provides a foundation for potential growth within the league.