Cal LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr Enters Transfer Portal

Originally posted on Cal Bears on SI | By Jake Curtis | Last updated Dec 1, 2023 7:21 PM ET

Cal received a significant blow when inside linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr announced on social media on Friday that he is entering the transfer portal.

Reserve Cal offensive lineman Everett Johnson also is entering the transfer portal, but it is the presumed departure of Elarms-Orr that has the more significant impact.

Elarms-Orr, a redshirt sophomore, made dramatic improvement from last season and is currently third in the Pac-12 in tackles, averaging 8.4 stops per game. His 92 tackles this season lead Cal by a wide margin, and he also had 3.5 tackles for loss, one interception, five pass breakups, six quarterback hurries, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

He had 15 tackles in the Golden Bears' victory over Arizona State.

Elarms-Orr provided a strong pair of inside linebackers in 2023, first beside Jackson Sirmon, then with freshman Cade Uluave after Sirmon was lost with a season-ending biceps injury.

Elarms-Orr and Uluave figured to form one of the top inside linebacker duos in the Atlantic Coast Conference for the next two seasons, but that apparently will not happen.

The other person headed to the portal is Everett Johnson, who seemed to have great potential as an offensive lineman when he arrived, but played little this season. He started one game as a redshirt freshman in 2021 and one game last year as a sophomore. However, he has not started any games this season and played in only one game in 2023.

Other Cal players who have entered the transfer portal include quarterback Ben Finley, cornerback Tyson McWilliams and offensive lineman Brayden Rohme.

This article first appeared on Cal Bears on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: