Jackson Sirmon

Jackson Sirmon (born April 15, 2000) is an American football linebacker for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Washington and California.

Early life
Sirmon grew up in Brentwood, Tennessee and attended Loyola High School and later transferred to Brentwood Academy. In his high school career he tallied 59 tackles with 13 being for a loss, and ten sacks. Sirmon committed to play college football at the University of Washington.

Washington
As a freshman in 2018, Sirmon totaled one tackle and a forced fumble. In the 2019 Las Vegas Bowl, Sirmon recovered a fumble as the Huskies beat Boise State. Sirmon finished the 2019 season with 28 tackles and two going for a loss, and a fumble recovery. Sirmon had a career day in a win over Utah in 2020, where he racked up nine tackles and a fumble recovery. Sirmon finished the shortened 2020 season with 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. In week nine of the 2021 season, Sirmon recorded his first career interception, picking a pass in the redzone by quarterback Tanner McKee, helping Washington beat Stanford 20–13. Sirmon finished his breakout 2021 season with 91 tackles with four being for a loss, a pass deflection, an interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Sirmon entered the transfer portal following the season.

California
Sirmon decide to transfer to California to continue his college career. Sirmon started the 2022 season strong, as in week three he totaled 15 tackles with two going for a loss, and 1.5 sacks, but the Golden Bears fell to Notre Dame 24–17. In week seven, Sirmon picked off a pass by Owen McCown, but California lost 20–13 against Colorado. In week twelve, Sirmon recovered a fumble that he returned for a touchdown that would win the Golden Bears the game, as they would beat Stanford 27–20. Sirmon finished the 2022 season as his best, tallying 104 tackles with six going for a loss, 3.5 sacks, four pass deflections, an interception, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and a touchdown. For his performance, Sirmon was named a first-team all Pac-12 selection. After the conclusion of the 2022 season, Sirmon announced that he would return to California for his final season. Sirmon was named preseason first team all Pac-12, for the upcoming 2023 season. Sirmon was also named as a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. Sirmon would also be named to multiple award watch lists, such as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, and to the Butkus Award watch list.

Professional career
Sirmon signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on May 3, 2024.

Personal life
Sirmon is the son of former NFL linebacker and current California defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Peter Sirmon and the cousin of former Cleveland Browns quarterback, Jacob Sirmon.