Cal LB Jackson Sirmon Might Not Play Against No. 16 Utah
Cal coach Justin Wilcox provided some good news on Tuesday regarding running back Jaydn Ott, who is likely to play in Saturday's road game against Utah. However, the news was not as promising regarding inside linebacker Jackson Sirmon, generally regarded as the best player on the team.
Wilcox described Sirmon's status as "day-to-day," which essentially means he is questionable for Saturday game in Salt Lake City against the 16th-ranked Utes.
If Sirmon does not play, his absence would be significant. Sirmon was the only Cal player who was named to the first-team all-Pac-12 selection last year and was the only Golden Bears player who was selected to the 2023 preseason all-Pac-12 first team.
Sirmon is currently tied for third in the Pac-12 in tackles, averaging 8.3 stops per game, and has recorded one sack and one fumble recovery. He left Saturday's game in the second half with an undisclosed injury.
The part he plays in organizing the defense may be as important as his play-making skills. Sirmon makes sure everyone is lined up correctly and calls the checks if Cal's defense needs to realign itself depending on what the opposing offense is showing.
Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon, who is Jackson's father, noted the issues that will arise if Jackson Sirmon cannot play and a replacement is thrust into a starting role.
"Anytime you have a guy who isn't practicing and getting ready for a game there's always a little bit of disruption," Peter Sirmon said Tuesday, "because there's so much invested in those guys that play a lot, that make the calls. There's a lot invested in the mental side of how you get lined up, how you communicate, of the checks that we have for the week. So that'll always be something if a guy does miss some time, those are challenging things."
The other starting inside linebacker, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, has been outstanding this season. He leads the Pac-12 in tackles at 9.5 per game. Whether his production or role will be affected if Sirmon does not play is another issue.
Any one of several players will get the start at the other inside linebacker spot if Sirmon cannot play. Blake Anzoulatos is the most likely player to get the start if Sirmon is unavailable, but Sergio Allen, Hunter Barth, Muelu Iosefa and Cade Uluave are among the other candidates.
The Bears don't know which Utah quarterback they will face. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said on Monday he knows whether Cameron Rising will be be ready to play against Cal, but he is not revealing that information. If Rising makes his season debut on Saturday, Sirmon's potential absence would be more significant.
On the offensive side, it appears Ott is likely to play Saturday. He leads the Pac-12 in rushing at 111.2 yards per game and he had 82 yards at halftime of this past Saturday's 52-40 loss to Oregon State. But he played only one play in the third quarter before leaving the game when he reaggravated an injury suffered earlier in the season.
On Tuesday, Wilcox listed Ott as "probable" for Saturday's game, and the Bears will need him against Utah, which ranks third in the country in rushing defense.
Cal ranks second in the Pac-12 and 11th in the country in rushing offense. Ott and running back Isaiah Ifanse have been effective running behind a Cal offensive line that is much improved over last season. However, a key member of that offensive line -- guard Sioape Vatikani -- is listed as "day-to-day" after suffering a lower-body injury that caused him to be taken of the field on a cart Saturday. That makes him questionable for Saturday's game.
If Vatikani cannot play, Bastian Swinney would probably start at a guard spot.
Cal redshirt freshman quarterback Fernando Mendoza is scheduled to make his second collegiate start on Saturday following his strong performance this past weekend against Oregon State. However, this time he will play before a hostile crowd at Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the Utes have won 17 games in a row.
Cover photo of Jackson Sirmon by Darren Yamashita, USA TODAY Sports
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