One of Cal’s very best defenders is planning a return to Berkeley in 2023.

Jackson Sirmon announced on social media Wednesday that he intends to return to Cal next year, what will be his sixth year of college ball. The All-Pac-12 first-team linebacker completed his first year as a Bear with 13 tackles in Cal’s season finale against UCLA.

Sirmon produced 11 or more tackles four times and at least eight stops on eight occasions. He was Cal’s leading tackler on the season with 104 stops to go with six tackles for loss, four pass breakups, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. He was the hero of Cal’s Big Game win over Stanford, returning a fumble 37 yards for a touchdown in a 27-20 win.

The former Husky has turned into one of the conference’s best linebackers throughout his career. In 45 career appearances — including 28 consecutive starts — he has 252 career tackles and 13.5 tackles for loss.

His return is a big boost for Cal, which recently lost Oluwafemi Oladejo to UCLA via the transfer portal.