Jackson Sirmon Bio
Jackson Sirmon is an American professional football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on April 15, 2000, in Brentwood, Tennessee, Sirmon played college football for the Washington Huskies and the California Golden Bears before launching his professional career. He signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and has spent time on the team’s practice squad while working to secure a larger role. Sirmon earned first-team All-Pac-12 recognition in 2022, the highlight of his college career.
Early Life and Background
Jackson Sirmon grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville known for producing high-level football talent. He attended Loyola High School before transferring to Brentwood Academy, where he continued to develop as a linebacker. During his high school career, Sirmon tallied 59 tackles, 13 of which went for a loss, along with ten sacks, numbers that drew the attention of several college programs. Coming from a football family, Sirmon had early exposure to the demands of the sport and the discipline required to compete at higher levels.
As the son of former NFL linebacker Peter Sirmon, Jackson was raised with a deep understanding of the linebacker position and what it takes to succeed in professional football. Peter Sirmon’s long coaching and playing career provided Jackson with a unique perspective on preparation, film study, and the physical toll of the game. This family background helped shape Jackson’s approach to football from a young age and influenced his decision to pursue the sport competitively.
Path to American Football
After a productive career at Brentwood Academy, Sirmon committed to play college football at the University of Washington, joining a Huskies program with a strong tradition of developing defensive talent. His recruitment was aided by his father’s NFL background and his own impressive high school production. At Washington, Sirmon had the opportunity to learn under experienced coaches and develop his skills against top-tier Pac-12 competition.
Sirmon’s path to national-level prominence included stops at two major programs. After three seasons at Washington, he entered the transfer portal and continued his college career at the University of California, Berkeley. The move to California gave him a fresh start and an opportunity to take on a larger leadership role within the Golden Bears defense. His strong play at both programs positioned him for a chance at the professional level.
Jackson Sirmon Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Sirmon began his college career at the University of Washington in 2018, appearing as a freshman and totaling one tackle and a forced fumble. In the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl, he recovered a fumble as the Huskies defeated Boise State, and he finished that season with 28 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. The 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Sirmon post 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery, including a career day against Utah with nine tackles and a fumble recovery.
His breakout came in 2021, when Sirmon recorded 91 tackles, four tackles for loss, a pass deflection, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In week nine of that season, he picked off a pass in the red zone by quarterback Tanner McKee, helping Washington beat Stanford 20–13. Following the 2021 season, Sirmon entered the transfer portal, seeking a new opportunity to showcase his abilities as a senior.
California Golden Bears Era (2022–2023)
Sirmon transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, to continue his college career with the California Golden Bears. He started the 2022 season strong, totaling 15 tackles with two for a loss and 1.5 sacks in a week-three loss to Notre Dame. In week seven, Sirmon intercepted a pass by Owen McCown, and in week twelve, he recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown to beat Stanford 27–20. He finished the 2022 season with 104 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and a touchdown, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
After the 2022 season, Sirmon announced he would return to California for his final season. He was named preseason first-team All-Pac-12 and earned preseason All-American recognition from Athlon Sports heading into 2023. Sirmon also appeared on award watch lists, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Butkus Award watch lists, cementing his status as one of the top linebackers in the conference.
New York Jets Era (2024–Present)
Following his college career, Sirmon signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024. He was waived on August 27, 2024, and later re-signed to the team’s practice squad. On January 6, 2025, Sirmon signed a reserve/future contract, keeping him with the organization. As part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, Sirmon was waived and re-signed to the practice squad the following day, continuing his work toward a larger role with the Jets.
Playing Style and Strengths
Sirmon is a tackling-focused linebacker with strong instincts in run support and the ability to contribute in pass coverage. His college production, including 104 tackles in 2022, highlights his consistency and his capacity to play a high volume of snaps. He has demonstrated ball-tracking skills with interceptions and fumble recoveries, and his background in a defensive coaching household has given him a strong understanding of scheme and assignment discipline.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Sirmon’s signature college moments was his 2022 fumble recovery returned for a touchdown against Stanford, a game-winning play that underscored his big-game capability. His first career interception came in 2021 against Stanford, helping Washington secure a 20–13 win. Sirmon’s selection as a first-team All-Pac-12 honoree in 2022 stands as the defining individual milestone of his career to date.
Jackson Sirmon Career Wins
Jackson Sirmon has built a resume highlighted by individual recognition rather than championship trophies at the professional level. His most notable achievement is his first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2022, the premier award of his college career. Sirmon has also earned preseason All-American recognition from Athlon Sports and placement on prestigious award watch lists, signaling respect from coaches and media across college football.
College Highlights
Sirmon’s college career spanned Washington and California, where he accumulated 250 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, multiple interceptions, and several forced fumbles and fumble recoveries across his full career. His 2022 season at California, with 104 tackles, was his most productive, and his 2021 season at Washington, with 91 tackles, marked his emergence as a defensive leader. He finished his college career as a respected two-program veteran with a strong all-around resume.
Other Performances
Beyond conference play, Sirmon contributed in bowl games and rivalry matchups, including the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl win over Boise State. His productivity against ranked opponents and in rivalry games, particularly his performances against Stanford, demonstrated his ability to rise to competitive occasions. These performances helped establish his professional profile leading into the 2024 NFL cycle.
Jackson Sirmon Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Jackson Sirmon is the son of Peter Sirmon, a former NFL linebacker who has gone on to coach college football, including serving as a defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at California. Peter Sirmon’s long professional career gave Jackson direct insight into the demands of playing linebacker at the highest levels. Jackson is also the cousin of Jacob Sirmon, a former Cleveland Browns quarterback, further underscoring the family’s deep football roots.
Personal Life
Jackson Sirmon was raised in Brentwood, Tennessee, where he attended Loyola High School and later Brentwood Academy. His upbringing in a football-focused family, combined with the mentorship of his father, has played a central role in shaping his career path. He continues to pursue his professional football goals with the New York Jets organization.
2025 Season Performance
Jackson Sirmon entered the 2025 season as a member of the New York Jets organization following his reserve/future contract signed in January 2025. On August 26, 2025, he was waived as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Sirmon spent the early portion of the 2025 campaign continuing to develop within the Jets’ system, working toward an opportunity to contribute on the active roster.
His role with the Jets has been that of a depth linebacker and practice squad contributor, providing organizational depth at a position that demands physicality and football intelligence. Sirmon’s path forward involves competing for a spot on the active 53-man roster and earning playing time on defense or special teams. His experience at Washington and California, combined with his All-Pac-12 credentials, gives him a credible foundation to build on.
Looking ahead, Sirmon’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 centers on consistency, continued physical development, and seizing any opportunity that arises with the Jets. His work in practice and on the practice squad will be closely watched as the team evaluates its linebacker depth throughout the season. With a strong college resume and a clear professional pathway, Sirmon remains a prospect to monitor within the Jets organization.