Utah QB Cam Rising expected to be ready at the start of the season

Quarterback Cam Rising has been a star for the Utah Utes for the past two seasons. Unfortunately, the one thing that has diminished his star power has been injuries. 

To that point, he's suffered significant injuries in all three of his seasons in Salt Lake City, including an ACL tear that knocked him out of this past Rose Bowl game.

Utah will need Rising back at full strength in order to once again win the Pac-12 and remain a College Football Playoff contender, and there is good news for both the team and its fans in that regard. Head Kyle Whittingham recently told On3 that the soon-to-be senior quarterback should be ready for the start of the 2023 season.

“He’s a big kid, he’s all of 220 pounds, 6-foot-2, 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.”

That's the news Utah is undoubtedly hoping for because there's little doubting the fact that Rising is the straw that stirs the drink for the Utes.

"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," Whittingham explained.

Rising threw for 3,034 yards and 26 touchdowns last season with eight interceptions. He also rushed for 465 yards and six touchdowns.

In mostly just two seasons, the quarterback from Ventura, California has amassed 5,572 passing yards and 46 touchdowns compared to 14 interceptions. He also has 953 career rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.

"As Cam goes, so goes our offense," Whittingham said.