Ohio State is reportedly slated to host two impact defensive transfers this week in former University of Texas at San Antonio edge rusher Trey Moore and former Cal linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr, per 247Sports. This will be Moore’s second visit to a college football powerhouse this month, joining Texas — who hosted him over the weekend and are the presumed favorite to land him — while it is not clear if Elarms-Orr has completed a visit yet.
Moore (6-3, 235), a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility left, has built a strong resume while rushing the passer for the Roadrunners. After appearing in just three games as a true freshman in 2021, the San Antonio, Texas, native burst on the scene for UTSA in 2022, starting all 14 games at outside linebacker and breaking the school single-season record for tackles for loss with 18. He also led the team in sacks with eight and ranked fifth on the team with 59 total tackles, all ranks that allowed him to be named a FWAA Freshman All-American.
Moore turned in an even better performance this season, where he racked up a school-record 14 sacks, an impressive mark that also ranked third in the nation. He tacked on 45 tackles and an American Conference-leading 17.5 tackles for loss, allowing him to be named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Elarms-Orr (6-2, 230) a redshirt sophomore with two years of eligibility left, first told 247Sports that he is planning to visit Ohio State this weekend in large part due to the allure of assistant linebackers coach and former three-time All American Buckeye James Laurinaitis, who has made a concerted effort to bring the transfer in.
“I will be visiting Ohio State this week,” he told 247Sports. “Coach (James) Laurinaitis is the main one recruiting me.”
While not as decorative a career as Moore, Earms-Orr has still made his mark on head coach Justin Wilcox’s program. After redshirting in 2021 and failing to record a stat in 2022, he burst on the scene for the Bears this season with a team-high 92 tackles — which also ranked fourth in the Pac-12 — and six quarterback hurries. He also logged 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, five pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
With veteran starting linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers likely leaving the program, and Cody Simon’s future with the Buckeyes unclear, Earms-Orr could provide some much-needed help at the position next season. If he does commit, he would likely compete for a starting job on Jim Knowles’ defense alongside returning linebackers C.J. Hicks, Gabe Powers and Nigel Glover, among others.
Moore and Earms-Orr will be just the third transfers to pay a visit to Ohio State since the transfer portal window opened on Dec. 4. The Buckeyes reportedly hosted Michigan State redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Derrick Harmon (6-5, 320) on Monday. They have also reportedly extended an offer on Dec. 1 to Middle Tennessee graduate transfer defensive tackle Marely Cook (6-2, 298), who just completed his fifth season with the Raiders.
