Jackson Sirmon NFL Draft 2024: Scouting Report for Cal LB

BR NFL Scouting DepartmentContributor IMarch 26, 2024

Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

HEIGHT: 6’2″

WEIGHT: 235

HAND: 9″

ARM: 30⅜”

WINGSPAN: 74¼”

40-YARD DASH: N/A

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: 4.26

VERTICAL: 34″

BROAD: 9’11”

POSITIVES

— Reads and flows with run plays well, stays in his gap and doesn’t overrun on the back side.

— Has decent speed when coming downhill and some pop behind his pads.

— Uses his hands to take on blocks against the run, helping to get some extension and mitigate having short arms.

— Wraps up when tackling and has very few misses.

NEGATIVES

— Gets bounced around when taking on blocks from offensive linemen. Plays high and lacks some lower-body strength to anchor.

— Has a habit of taking on blocks square instead of getting on an edge and in his gap, covering himself up.

— Poor lateral movement skills, limiting his range versus outside runs and causing issues in coverage.

— A little stiff in the hips to turn and run when ROBOTing versus play action or when playing Tampa 2.

2023 STATISTICS

— 6 G, 49 TOT, 3 TFL, 1 SK, 2 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR

NOTES

— Born April 15, 2000

— Injuries: 2023 (Bicep, season-ending and required surgery, missed six games)

— Played at Washington for the first four years of his college career before transferring to Cal ahead of the 2022 season

— Father, Peter, played linebacker at Oregon, was a fourth-round pick by the Tennessee Titans and had a seven-year NFL career; currently is Cal’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach

OVERALL

Jackson Sirmon is a decent run defender who has some pop and speed when coming downhill and is a sure tackler. However, his lateral movement skills are poor, limiting his range as a run defender and causing him issues in coverage.

Sirmon should get drafted and will have a chance at making a roster if he provides value on special teams, but his ceiling is probably capped as a backup in the NFL.

GRADE: 5.5 (Backup/Draftable — 6th-7th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 203

POSITION RANK: LB17

PRO COMPARISON: Jake Hansen