Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Kyle Whittingham is considering Cam Rising's return for an eighth year at Utah.
- Rising's injuries and potential return may impact Utah's quarterback recruitment strategy.
- Utah's priority is acquiring an experienced quarterback amid Rising's decision and team struggles.
SALT LAKE CITY — Sometime this week Kyle Whittingham likely will meet with Cam Rising to entertain the possibility of the quarterback returning for an eighth year of college football.
The Utah coach offered no insight beyond starting the discussion process with Rising, whose season ended one month ago after suffering multiple injuries. After missing three games with an injury on his throwing hand, he played the entire game in the loss to Arizona State on Oct. 11.
At 25 years old, Rising apparently can get another year of eligibility after playing three games this season. But is it wise to return, considering he already has suffered three season-ending injuries in his time at Utah.
"No definite word yet," Whittingham said at his weekly press conference on Monday. "Cam is still mulling over his options. He just had his surgery Wednesday of this past week so that was first and foremost on his mind, is getting that surgery completed. Now that it's done the next big thing is making that decision on which direction he wants to go. I expect to have those conversations with Cam probably as early as this week."
For the good of the team, and possibly Rising, maybe his time has ended at Utah. Why risk another injury and derail a third consecutive season.
Whatever he decides, Utah's primary offseason priority should be to add a more experienced quarterback to the roster. But Rising's presence, as it did last offseason, might hinder the chances of getting a transfer.
Younger quarterbacks would be open to come, as Whittingham said, but probably forget about an immediate difference maker. Experienced transfers want a shot to play right away rather than losing out to a coach's favorite.
"You're not going to get a guy like (Miami transfer and Heisman hopeful) Cam Ward or whatever to come to a place that has established starter that's one of the elite quarterbacks," Whittingham said during his Oct. 21 press conference.
Over the last two seasons Whittingham has consistently called Rising one of the game's best quarterbacks, but all those injuries have prevented him from showing it since the 2022 season. Two years away from competition offers no guarantee that Rising will retain his deserved elite status.
One solution, if he stays, is to declare the position open to competition. Best man plays and iron sharpens iron, to name two phrases all coaches love to recite.
Whittingham's loyalty to Rising is easy to see, understanding the history between them. Two consecutive Pac-12 championships and two Rose Bowl appearances are hard to forget, even if the if the most recent memory is Rising's injuries.
Last season was at least tolerable, as Utah won eight games and played in the Las Vegas Bowl. Minus the expected starter this season, the Utes have crashed amid a five-game losing streak for the first time since 2013.
With Rising returning after missing all last season due to a knee injury suffered in the 2023 Rose Bowl, the Utes were picked to win the Big 12 in their first year in the conference. After quarterbacks Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson transferred, Utah was forced to play freshman Isaac Wilson and redshirt sophomore Brandon Rose.
Wilson showed promise as Rising's initial replacement, directing the Utes to wins over Utah State and Oklahoma as part of a 4-0 start. But the team hasn't won since Sept. 21 as the offense has repeatedly struggled, leading to the resignation of longtime coordinator Andy Ludwig.
In his first start, Rose played well in the first half in last week's loss to BYU, but the offense was scoreless over the final 30 minutes. He also has had injury issues in college.
