Kyle Whittingham updates Utah QB Cam Rising's health amid ACL rehab

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham knows how valuable quarterback Cam Rising is to the Utah football program.

After a torn ACL in the Rose Bowl loss to Penn State last season, Rising is on his way back for his final season with the Utes. During the spring, it was a lot of mental reps for the star quarterback.

But that didn’t diminish Rising’s impact on his teammates, per Whittingham.

“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, 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 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.”

Last year, Rising threw for 3,034 yards (a career high), 26 touchdowns (career high), eight interceptions, a 64.7% completion percentage, 465 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns.

Over the course of his career, Rising has 5,572 yards, 46 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, a 64.1% completion percentage, 953 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

“He’s a big kid, he’s all of 220 pounds, six-foot-two, so he’s got a big frame and you know he’s he’s pretty rocked up but, but he has had a couple of unfortunate injuries his last two seasons,” Whittingham said. “Right now he’s about a third of the way through ACL rehab, and doing very well and on schedule, and we fully expect him to be ready for our season opener against Florida.”

Just because he can’t physically participate, doesn’t mean Rising doesn’t do the work, according to Whittingham.

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“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, 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.”