Greg McElroy reveals the biggest key to Utah reaching ceiling in 2023

ESPN’s Greg McElroy has high hopes for Utah this season. Nonetheless, that hope comes with a catch.

The Utes’ 2023 season will be dependent on health, an area where they’ve lacked good fortune. 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.

McElroy knows how vital Rising will be to the Utes’ success.

“He’s got to be at 100%,” McElroy said. “I need to know, if they’re going to involve him in the quarterback run game, if he’s going to be the power short yardage guy that they’ve had him be in the past. He needs to be at 100%. If he’s not, that could really throw a wrench in the fact that I have Utah sitting at No. 9 [in my preseason rankings].”

Rising isn’t the only player whose health is a concern. Utah lost tight end Brant Kuithe on Sept. 25 last year when he tore his ACL in a win against Arizona State. Kuithe is Rising’s top target and a three-time All-Pac-12 tight end, earning second-team in 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Before suffering an injury, Kuithe looked better than ever in 2022. Through four games, the Texas native had the second-most receiving touchdowns among Power Five tight ends and was sixth among FBS tight ends in receiving yards.

McElroy believes Kuithe will be more significant than ever this season.

“The good news is Brant Kuithe will also be back for the Utah Utes at tight end,” McElroy said. “He’s kind of like a Travis Kelce type if you will. He’s got some good speed and feel, and he’s an instinctive player that has clearly developed a rapport with Cam Rising over the last couple of years.”

That rapport has led to Utah winning back-to-back conference titles in a loaded Pac-12. Nonetheless, there will be no hardware for the Utes in 2023 unless there are some serious recoveries. McElroy feels good about Utah’s chances.

“If [Utah] can have a quarterback and good, solid defensive line. I feel pretty good about the possibilities you have there, defensively and offensively.”

Utah will kick off its season on Aug. 31, when it takes on Florida in its season-opener.