Interview: Explosive 17-Offer 3-Star 2021 OLB Kaleb Elarms-Orr Covers Recruiting

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

In football circles, talking about players with true fast-twitch muscles – there are your playmakers. When talking about Class of 2021 outside linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr, he is that definition of a dynamic playmaker. The Moreau Catholic High School standout tore it up against California offenses during the 2019 season and has 17 college football programs knowing those skills translate to the highest levels.

The abilities of Elarms-Orr have been on display for those taking in Mission Valley League games over the past two seasons. As a sophomore, Elarms-Orr ended 87 plays with 19 sacks, 15 tackles for a loss, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. The growing skill, athleticism, and knowledge of the game propelled him to yet another level in 2019 seeing him knockdown 121 ball carriers while tallying 35 tackles for a loss, 14 sacks with a forced fumble on his way to earning League Defensive Player of the Year honors.

The 6-2.5, 222-pound, three-star recruit also showcased his overall athleticism on offense hauling in 10 passes for 75 yards with two scores while aiding in the run game with his blocking and notched a 25-yard run. Elarms-Orr’s talents extend beyond the gridiron suiting up in basketball and track, running the 100, 200, 4×100, and the 4×400 from time to time. With all that he does as a three-sport athlete, he is getting it done in the classroom carrying a 3.2 GPA.

In an RNG first-look, Elarms-Orr goes inside the RNG Lab for a detailed Q&A covering the skills and the recruiting process.

Interview

Kaleb, your first step off the snap makes lightening mad. I am guessing that your abilities off the edge have led to a lot of quarterbacks yelling at their linemen over the last couple of years.

(Laughs) “For sure. My first step, that is the most dangerous part of my game. Speed and athleticism make me dangerous. I have two All-American track parents; both went to UC-Davis. My dad was two-time All-American and my mom was 12-time an All-American.”

Wait. What? Did I hear that right? Your mom was a 12-time All-American in track?

“Yes. She ran three events: the 4×4, 400 hurdles, and 400. She was All-American all four years in all three events. My dad was a decathlete.”

Impressive. Because of your speed rush, you may not get tangled up with tackles too often but when you do what are some of your other favorite moves you like to use to get to the passer?

“Film plays a big role in what I do on the field. If the offensive tackle is slow, I use speed against him. I will also use a swim move. I like to get my hands on him, and use the swim move. I like the ghost rush move – start high and then dip low. I learned early on that offensive tackles do not like to bend their knees.”

Over the last couple of years, you have fought through double-teams and chips. Through it you’ve developed the skills at shedding blockers. What are some of your other strengths that make you such an explosive player for the Mariners?

“Like we talked about, my speed rush; that is vital. I have a high motor, and I like to get in on the play. You can see on my film that I do not stop running. If the QB goes the other way, I want to be there. Aggressiveness and quick hands are also strengths. I am very aggressive and I bring my anger onto the field. That is the best part of the game. You can do stuff on the field that would send you to jail. It is an honor and a blessing to play football.”

You also lineup on offense last season. Which positions did you play?

“I lined up at tight end and receiver and I played a little in the slot.”

How did the season on offense go?

“It was okay. I did not play offense as much, only when they needed me. I am not much of an offensive player. Every school is pretty much recruiting me as a defensive end. We have Nikko Reed; he is a great receiver for us. I helped out on run blocking or if I could help get us a big play.”

Once the 2020 season gets going, what roles are you taking on for the team?

“Defensively, I think I will be playing more stand-up outside linebacker dropping back and rushing the edge. I will show more versatility this year as an outside linebacker. On offense, I am playing receiver and tight end. I talked to my coach about trying to get some Wildcat plays. I don’t think anyone can take me down as a Wildcat quarterback, but he may want someone quicker.”

With all that you will be doing what have you been working on with your game this spring?

“My most crucial parts of my game are my athleticism and speed. I have been working out daily to stay in shape. My dad is a track coach. I go to his house and we workout, or I will do them at my mom’s house. I am around 220 pounds now; I am at a good spot. The weight will come; I don’t want to force weight or lose it. I feel faster and stronger now.”

With your dad being a track coach, have you had a chance to lay down a timed run this offseason?

“I ran a 4.54 40-yard dash last year over the summer at the Sac State Rising Stars Camp. My 100 time, when track was starting, hand-timed, was an 11.1. Had we had our track season, I feel like I could have reached a sub-11.”

You have touched on this several times already, but going deeper, what is your daily workout routine?

“Usually I run around the neighborhood for about 20 minutes and then I do my dynamic stretches. After that, I go inside my garage to lift. We have a weight room in the garage with a squat rack, dumb bells, a punching bag – pretty much everything a gym has. That is where I get a workout in. Some days after my lift, I do another 20-minute run or I will end it with a track workout. After a track workout, I am tired and not wanting to do anything else. I always save that for the last thing or I would never get a lift in.”

Understood. If the college camp season happens, are there any camps you may attend this summer?

“For sure I am going to the Sac State Rising Stars Camp again. I thought it was great and I feel like I got better after last year’s camp. I will probably go to a USC camp as well.”

Which programs are showing interest at this time?

“USC, UCLA, Utah, Oklahoma, Oregon, Arizona State, the whole Pac-12 and Virginia – that is all I can think of right now.”

How many offers have been dropped?

“Seventeen.”

Elarms-Orr’s Offer Sheet: Air Force, Arizona, Boise State, California, Colorado, Colorado State, Fresno State, Hawaii, Kanas, Navy, Nevada, Sacramento State, San Diego State, UNLV, Utah State, and Washington State

Going back to last season up until the dead period began, did you take any visits?

“Yes. Back in October I took one to Notre Dame with my 7v7 coach. Notre Dame has a great environment. It was packed; they played USC. I really liked what I saw at Notre Dame. We also visited Cal; my mom went there for grad school. Cal is close to home. I liked their facilities and they have a great environment. Stanford had a two-day Junior Day that I went to before the quarantine. I liked the coaches and the position I would be playing there.”

Are there any planned trips ahead, official or unofficial?

“No. I am going to have a Top 8 or Top 10 schools list in the next month or so. Once I narrow it to four or five, those four or five will probably be my officials.”

Kaleb, it was a lot of fun covering all of this ground with you today. I appreciate your time and wish you continued success with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Elarms-Off family; Kaleb Elarms-Orr at Stanford and Cal

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