Tristan Jernigan holds the WLB · Starter spot in California Golden Bears’s linebacker room. Where he sits among the room’s front-line roles:

Tristan Jernigan is a 6'0", 230-pound inside linebacker from Tupelo, MS, who plays for the California Golden Bears. Originally recruited to Texas A&M in 2024 as a three-star prospect, he appeared in seven games as a freshman, primarily contributing on special teams and recording five tackles in a win over McNeese, two tackles in a victory at Florida, and four tackles including 0.5 for loss against New Mexico State. He earned the team's Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year award. As a sophomore in 2025, Jernigan appeared in two games and recorded three tackles and a tackle for loss before entering the transfer portal, where he was listed as the No. 37 linebacker by recruiting services.

Texas A&M2024 – 2025

California2026 — present