Cameron Rising shaking off the rust and pushing forward to Big 12
Utah quarterback Cam Rising prepares to take a snap during the first quarter of the Pac-12 Championship Game against USC Friday December 2, 2022 at Allegiant Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
LAS VEGAS — Although Utah’s veteran quarterback didn’t play at all last season because of a knee injury, he’s back fully healthy and ready for a new chapter in the Big 12.
Cameron Rising is a winner, who’s tough as nails, and brings instant credibility to the Utes. He’s the main reason why Utah is No. 1 in the Big 12’s Preseason Media Poll. After all, Rising led the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 Titles and two Rose Bowl appearances when he was behind center.
The Californian is such a competitor, and eager to get back on the gridiron after a year of watching from the sidelines. Utah fans are happy about Rising’s return to the program, but it wasn’t an easy decision for him.
“When I was deciding it was hard, just not being healthy, there’s a lot of uncertainty there, so you have to take it for what it is,” Rising said. “There’s a lot of meat left on these bones pretty much, you can come back and play for a great team, and a great coach, so that’s the main reason I came back because we have a chance to go to the College Football Playoffs and win.”
Rising is proud of himself for making it to this point, knowing there’s still a lot of work to do. His last game of live action was against Penn State in Pasadena nearly 19 months ago. Recovering from a gruesome knee injury is never easy for an athlete, and it takes patience and discipline. Which is why Rising is grateful that he had the support from his family, coaches, teammates and the fans throughout this process.
Now the gunslinger is back in live action, and striving to improve his craft. Rising is even going back to the fundamentals as far as footwork, and throwing motion. The former four-star prospect is also building chemistry with tight end Brant Kuithe and wideout Dorian Singer.
Kuithe will be Rising’s ultimate safety net with his big frame, and soft hands. The six-foot-two, 236-pounder is very productive too, with a jaw-dropping, 148 career receptions for 1,882 yards and 16 touchdowns. Like Rising, Kuithe missed all of last season because of a torn ACL.
Rising believes Singer is a great addition to the offense with his experience, and leadership. Despite only catching 24 passes at USC last season, Singer put together a monster campaign at Arizona in 2022, when he racked up 1,105 receiving yards. Rising is enjoying how everything is coming together in the passing department, and feels that’s going to take the team far this fall.
“I think the pass catchers in general, having the tight ends and the receivers is going to be a game-changer,” he said. “I think we’re going to be able to spin the ball around the field a little bit, and just getting those guys the ball is going to be a thing of beauty, watching them make plays, make guys miss and score some touchdowns.”
Everything appears to be coming full circle for Rising, and this will be his last ride on an amazing journey. The 25-year old has been a student-athlete since 2018, yet he’s out to prove that you can teach an old dog new tricks. The Big 12 will present some new challenges, but he’s somewhat familiar with the conference after spending time at Texas. Most importantly, Rising isn’t taking anything for granted, and is determined to end his legacy with the Utes on a high note.
“You just got to go out there and do it, take it one day at a time with practice, with conditioning and with workouts, just try to succeed, that’s pretty much my only goal.”
