Cam Rising addresses Utah not being picked to win Pac-12

Utah quarterback Cam Rising isn’t giving doubters any attention. When a reporter asked Rising about outsiders’ underwhelming expectations for the Utes in 2023, his response was to the point.

“It is what it is. They can think whatever they want. Just find out come this season,” Rising said.

Utah has proven naysayers wrong two seasons in a row, winning the Pac-12 Championship. Nonetheless, the Utes have the odds stacked against them this time. Specifically, Rising and his fellow teammates are fighting time.

Utah quarterback Cameron Rising tore his ACL against Penn State in the Rose Bowl last year. Before the injury, Rising had a landmark season, recording 3,034 yards on 249-of-385 passing (8 INT, 26 TD) while adding 77 rushes for 465 yards and six touchdowns. Now, the 24-year-old star QB is battling to be ready for the 2023 season.

Rising wasn’t ready in time for spring camp. The 2022 Pac-12 Championship MVP was forced to watch from the sideline as the Utes began working toward the 2023 season. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham isn’t counting out his quarterback quite yet.

“Well, his impact on the team can’t be overstated,” Whittingham said of Rising to On3. “He is the leader of our football team, leader for leaders, I guess you can say. As Cam goes, so goes our offense. Unfortunately, each of the last three seasons were cut short by injury.

“The first season he started for us, he got injured against USC, unfortunately, and missed the entire season. Then the last two seasons, he’s been able to lead us to the Rose Bowl, but unfortunately wasn’t able to finish that Rose Bowl game. He got knocked out of both of those games.

“But he means so much to this football team. And it’s been such a driving force behind our success. And really, he’s the guy that rallies the troops and is, like I said, he’s our leader.”

Per Whittingham, Rising was approximately a third of the way through recovery in April. Thus, by now, the California native must be inching close to a return. Whether or not he’s ready by fall camp, Whittingham expects the 6-foot-2 talent to be primed to play in Utah’s season opener against Florida.

Even if he can’t work on his three-step dropbacks, Rising is improving every day.

“He’s out there every practice and mentoring and tutoring these young quarterbacks,” Whittingham said. “And (he’s) in the meeting room. I mean, he’s doing everything but taking reps on the field, and he’s the type of guy that has such a powerful presence. He’s a leader even when he’s not suited up. I mean, he’s the guy that everyone looks up to.”