Cal Football: Kaleb Elarms-Orr Has Made A Meteoric Rise But Isn't Satisfied
A year ago, Kaleb Elarms-Orr was a third- or fourth-string inside linebacker for Cal. He played on the scout team during practice all week and was on several special teams on Saturdays.
He knew he was capable of more.
“I wasn’t really performing at the level I needed to,” said the redshirt sophomore from Hayward. “This offseason I watched a lot of film, grinding that mental part of the game because I knew I always had the athleticism and speed to be good.”
Fast-forward to Wednesday, when Elarms-Orr got the official word: He will start for the Bears in their opener at North Texas next Saturday.
Kaleb Elarms-Orr on special teams vs. USC last season.
Photo by Al Sermeno, KLC fotos
“It was exciting. I’m very grateful and happy and excited for this opportunity. But I’m not content,” he said. “I just want to keep working hard. I want to be better at the end of the season than I am now.”
Cal’s coaching staff hopes and expects that will happen. In the meantime, they’re impressed by how much progress Elarms-Orr has made in a year.
“I would say Kaleb and (wide receiver) Trond Grizzell are the two most improved guys from last spring to now,” head coach Justin Wilcox said.
Defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon, who also coaches inside linebackers, said Elarms-Orr has made a leap in performance he’s rarely seen.
“It was such a significant jump in terms of his attitude toward the game, understanding this was something he started to really value. He poured himself into the playbook and all the nuances of what we are trying to do,” Sirmon said. “Then he came out in the spring and really took as large a step as I’ve seen in a player in a long time.”
Elarms-Orr played on the edge at Moreau Catholic High School, but his senior season in the fall of 2020 was postponed until the spring because of COVID. Then he tore his ACL, which cost him his freshman season at Cal.
In the meantime, he was transitioned from the edge to inside linebacker so he not only had to rehab a serious injury but learn a new position.
“He’s put a lot of time into this. It’s been evident. It shows in his play,” Wilcox said. “He’s still a pretty young and inexperienced player but I think he’s going to do some really good things. It’s impressive what he’s done to this point. Now we’re looking forward to watching him do it in a game.”
No one is more eager than Elarms-Orr, who said the presence of sixth-year All-Pac-12 standout Jackson Sirmon on his flank is a big help.
“Jackson is a veteran and I feel a lot more comfortable with him,” Elarms-Orr said. “He’s someone who gives me a lot of advice, teaches me how to read my keys, be a better inside ‘backer. Trust my eyes and use my athleticism and speed to make plays.
“He just pushes me to be the best and he’s a great guy to be next to.”
The coaching staff is aware there will be moments when Elarms-Orr doesn’t make the right play.
“He’s inexperienced like a lot of guys we’re going to play. There’s one way you get experience and we’re willing to live through some of those bumps,” Peter Sirmon said. “So we’re mindful of what some of these young guys might do. We’re also very aware of what they can do.”
Elarms-Orr has prepared himself for the unexpected.
“I know I’m inexperienced. I just have to trust myself, trust my study approach, how I prepare for every opponent,” he said. “I can’t focus on the future or if I mess up. I can’t focus on the last play. I just have to keep working.”
Cover photo of Kaleb Elarms-Orr by Al Sermeno, KLC fotos
Follow Jeff Faraudo of Cal Sports Report on Twitter: @jefffaraudo
