Much has been made about Utah quarterback Cameron Rising returning for a seventh season, but the California native has only started two years in his career (2021-22). In those two campaigns, the Utes went 20-8, won back-to-back Pac-12 titles, and made two Rose Bowl appearances.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham raved about having the veteran back under center in 2024 at the Big 12 Media Days and knows his squad has a chance at a conference championship in their inaugural season.
Utah HC Kyle Whittingham Provides Update on QB Cameron Rising at Big 12 Media Days
In the 2023 Rose Bowl against Penn State, Rising tore his ACL, MCL, MPFL, and meniscus, sidelining him for the entire 2023 campaign. Across his two seasons as the starter, he completed 64% of his passes for 5,527 yards, 46 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He also proved to be a threat on the move, rushing for 964 yards and 12 more scores on 151 carries.
While Rising couldn’t help his team on the field last year — despite several attempts to do so — he wasn’t waiting idly in the background. “(The time off) taught me the importance of leadership and how the QB handles himself in every type of situation. It really matters,” he said on the stage at Media Days. “It can kind of reflect on the team.”
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Utah didn’t subject Rising to any hits during practice this offseason, but Whittingham provided a positive update on the signal-caller’s health during his media time. “His overall health is as good as it can be right now. We feel like he’s gonna be absolutely ready to roll. He took every rep in spring. He immediately makes us better.”
Whittingham further emphasized Rising’s invaluable presence, highlighting his leadership and command on the field. “When he’s in the huddle and at the QB position, there is no doubt who’s in charge. He’s got the respect of every single one of his teammates. The moxie and the field general mentality that he exudes is contagious.”
“I’m excited to watch him play again,” Whittingham continued. “I mean, he’s a terrific leader, terrific player, really the alpha dog of our football team. He’s got the respect of everybody on the team. He’s got that ‘it’ factor at quarterback where he makes everybody around him better. And when he’s in at quarterback, he just exudes confidence, and players believe in him. They believe in him 100 percent.”
The players aren’t the only believers, as the Utes are the odds-on favorite to take home the Big 12 title in 2024, booking their ticket to the newly expanded College Football Playoff.
Rising sees the opportunity ahead of the team, saying, “We have a chance to go to the College Football Playoff and win it.” There are several reasons why Utah came in at No. 1 on our Big 12 Power Rankings. Having Whittingham running the show and Rising slinging the rock is certainly chief among them.
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However, longtime TE Brant Kuithe, who also missed the 2023 campaign, is back, as are WRs Money Parks and Mycah Pittman, TE Landen King, RBs Micah Bernard and Jaylon Glover, and eight defensive starters. Plus, CB transfers Cameron Calhoun (Michigan) and Kenan Johnson (Georgia Tech) shined during the spring and are expected to play meaningful snaps in 2024.
When asked if he would return for an eighth season, which he could argue for by proving he missed two years for reasons outside of his control (redshirt season at Texas in 2018 and last season due to injury), Rising made it clear: “That’s not the plan. Seven years is more than enough.”
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