CLEVELAND - Linebacker John Kerr, who led Indiana in tackles as a true freshman last year, said he is transferring to Ohio State.

The 6-foot-1, 247-pound Kerr is a former big-school defensive player of the year at Cleveland's St. Ignatius High School. He had 117 tackles last year for the Hoosiers.

Kerr said he had a falling out with the Indiana coaching staff that led to his decision to enroll at Ohio State.

''Let's just say there were irreconcilable differences,'' Kerr said in a story Wednesday in The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. ''I'm certainly not going to bash anyone at Indiana. That's not my style. And it wouldn't be the Christian thing to do. I'm an Ohio guy, and I have always wanted to play for Ohio State.''

Ohio State would not comment on Kerr.

''We never confirm any transfers until they are enrolled in school,'' sports information director Steve Snapp said. ''We are definitely not confirming anything.''

Kerr helped St. Ignatius to state playoff championships in 1999 and 2001 and is the school's all-time leading tackler.

He will sit out the next season, using up his red shirt season, then will have three years of eligibility with the Buckeyes.

Kerr's transfer marks the second year in a row that a leading tackler from another Division I-A school elected to switch to Ohio State. A year ago, Air Force linebacker Anthony Schlegel transferred and sat out last season.