Bear Insider Video: Elarms-Orr and Family Talk Cal Commitment

2021 6-3/225 Moreau Catholic (Hayward, CA) inside linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr‍ became the latest Bay Area recruit to join the Bears after committing to Cal Saturday. 

“What made Cal the right choice, I like that Coach Wilcox is a very defensive-minded coach,” said Elarms-Orr of his decision hours after his announcement. “Him, Coach DeRuyter and Coach Sirmon played a big role in my decision. Great resumes and put out great players.

“Cal went 8-5 last year and I think they’re on the rise to do even bigger things in upcoming years, especially with the ‘21 class like Akili Calhoun‍, myself, Kaleb Higgins‍, Moses Oladejo‍ -lots of great guys on defense and on offense, too. The goal is to get a Rose Bowl, for sure.” 

Instagram / Kaleb Elarms-Orr

Elarms-Orr chooses Cal

Yesterday, Elarms-Orr talked more in-depth about his decision to choose Cal and about the recruiting process, in general.

“It was definitely fun in the first half, getting all the offers and posting them and seeing how all your hard work is paying off but once I narrowed it down to Cal and Colorado, and even my top seven before I narrowed it down to those two, it was getting kind of stressful,” said Elarms-Orr. “People were always asking what I was going to do next. I just tried to stay cool, calm, and collected and make the right choice.”

Cal defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach Peter Sirmon took the lead in the 4 star athlete’s recruitment and the two have bonded since.

“Me and Coach Sirmon, we have a really good relationship,” said Elarms-Orr. “He sees me playing the inside linebacker position and he thinks I can make an immediate impact at the position, for sure. He’s very knowledgeable. He played in the NFL for I think seven or eight years. Very knowledgeable coach and we have a great relationship.”

Cal head coach Justin WIlcox’s experience coaching linebackers and as a defensive coordinator made a big impression on Elarms-Orr, as well.

“That was a factor in my decision,” said Elarms-Orr. “He’s been a defensive guy pretty much his whole life. And (Coach) DeRuyter put out Vaughn Miller and other guys, too. And (Coach) Sirmon, he has a great resume, as well. So I know they’ll get me ready for the next level and give my skill set a boost for the next three to four years.”

Other factors in his decision included his closeness with his fellow 2021 class, who made it clear how much they wanted him to join their talented group.

“Beyond the staff, first was the class,” said Elarms-Orr. “I feel very comfortable with the guys coming in. Of the 19 commits, I knew probably 10 or 11 of those guys very well already. So that was a factor, knowing I already have that family atmosphere already. I haven’t even been on campus yet and I already have a lot of friends. I have two twin cousins who actually play soccer there who are freshmen at Cal. That wasn’t really a factor but just knowing I have family support. 

“Being close to home wasn’t really a factor but now that I look back on it, it’s kind of cool that all my friends from high school and family that never really went to my high school games can come to my college games at Cal now so that will be great.”

The talented LB was just 16 till last month so the best is yet to come in his physical and mental development.

“I just turned 17 a month ago and I’ve only been playing the game for three years since high school started so I feel ike I’m nowhere near where I’m going to get to,” noted Elarms-Orr. “I feel like I do have a lot of physical and mental growth in the next couple of years.”

As for his skill set?

“I’m very aggressive,” said Elarms-Orr. “My motor doesn’t stop. If I don’t hear a whistle, I’m going to keep going. I know how to use my hands. I think my key trait in my game is my athleticism. I can dip, bend and get around those O-linemen like I don’t think anyone else can. I’m very fast, very quick, very physical.

“I want to build my inside backer game when I got to Cal, for sure.”

The Moreau LB has more than just a local connection to Cal. He’ll be a third-generation Cal student after his grandmother Yvette (BA 1977) and his mother Kameelah (teaching credential and master’s 2004) obtained degrees from Cal earlier. Needless to say, the family is thrilled with Elarms-Orr’s decision.

“It was beautiful,” said Kameelah of her experience at Cal. “I loved it there. I loved being out on the hills, doing my reading assignments out on the grass. 

“I had him in my second year so I didn’t get to have the full student experience. He went along with my to class my second year so he was kind of raised there and passed around the room as a baby. Lots a great spots to eat...I’ll take him to some of my spots, for sure. He’ll know where to eat.”

The proximity is also a bonus for the family and they plan to take full advantage of the opportunity.

“I’ll probably be a practice, too,” said Kameelah with a laugh. “With it being so close, we have a BART station here in Union City. He’s going to have that community feel he’s had throughout his high school career when we went all the time. So we’ll be popping in there to go to some practices and I’m excited to go to all of the games.”

The 4 star LB had a stellar junior season, with an impressive 121 tackles, 35 tackles for loss and 14 sacks in just 10 games for the Mariners.

Rated 4 stars (91) by 247 and ESPN (80) and 3 stars (5.6) Rivals, the local ILB visited Cal before practices were cut off early spring.

The Bears beat out Colorado in his final decision after earlier eliminating WSU, Arizona, Boise State and more earlier in the process.

The commitment pushed Cal to #18 overall in 247 recruiting class rankings. Elarms-Orr is the Bears’ 19th overall commit in the 2021 class.