For Utah fandom, the name Cam Rising is one that defines an era. Rising, during his time, threw for 6,127 yards and 53 touchdowns across his career with the Utes, adding nearly 1,000 yards on the ground and 12 rushing scores. He even led Utah to back-to-back Pac-12 championships. Unfortunately, injuries caught up to him.
After suffering a hand injury in 2024, Rising announced his medical retirement from football. While the cleats are off, the legacy is one that will be remembered. Despite an early retirement, ESPN’s Greg McElroy isn’t letting Cam Rising go quietly. In fact, recently, the analyst made sure to give the Utah legend the love he deserves.
Analyst Greg McElroy Praises Cam Rising and His Unforgettable Utah Journey
In a recent episode of analyst Greg McElroy’s “Always College Football” podcast, he praised the Utes signal-caller for a great collegiate career.
“I just want to take a moment to acknowledge what Cam Rising meant to the Utah Utes program,” McElroy said. And with that, the floodgates opened. McElroy wasn’t just going by stats either.
McElroy went on to talk about how Rising’s true value lies in his leadership. Rising is, after all, the leader who not only helped Utah take down giants like USC but also changed the very perception of what Utah football could be.
The two-time Pac-12 champ famously kept USC out of the College Football Playoff. And if that wasn’t enough, Rising led the Utes to two Rose Bowls.
And for Utah fans, there is no forgetting the Rose Bowl showdown against Ohio State. It was an unforgettable one, even for Greg McElroy.
Rising went on to throw for 214 yards and two scores and rush for 92 more, including a 62-yard touchdown. While Utah did not win that game, he certainly won’t be forgotten. As the world knows, going up against the Buckeyes like that is no easy task.
As McElroy puts it, “He is one of the poster children of taking a program to new heights.”
He is not wrong in saying so either. Utah’s rise from a Mountain West underdog to a Pac-12 powerhouse wasn’t easy. But once Rising got behind center, things changed. McElroy went further, painting Rising as a symbol of Utah’s blue-collar grind.
“Nothing has been given to Utah,” McElroy said. “Everything they gained, they earned… and they finally broke through with Cam Rising at the helm.”
And now, Utah is in the Big 12, looking to the future with Devon Dampier likely leading the way.
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As the torch is passed, McElroy made sure to give the former captain his flowers. Cam Rising may be done playing. But in Salt Lake City and apparently on ESPN airwaves, Rising’s story is far from over.
Next, Rising will return to his alma mater. And no, not Utah, the one that came before collegiate sports. Rising used to play high school football at Newbury Park (CA). During his time here, he was a four-star prospect. And was a No. 261 overall recruit in the 2018 cycle as per On3.
Next up, he will be stepping into the position of offensive coordinator for Newbury Park High School in California. If that wasn’t enough, he will be training some of the biggest prospects of the 2026 class, which includes names like Brady Smigiel, a four-star prospect and a Wolverines commit.
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