Starting quarterback Cam Rising said on Monday that he will be returning to Salt Lake City for his senior season after leading Utah to two Rose Bowl appearances and two Pac-12 championships.
Rising said on Twitter, “Let’s run it back,” and an accompanying video showed his return.
Rising followed up his breakout sophomore season with a strong junior year in which he threw for over 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns, ran for 465 yards, and scored six touchdowns on the ground. His QBR of 83.0 ranked among the nation’s top ten.
Beyond the numbers, Rising has had an impact on this Utes team. Over the past two years, as the team has been the best in the conference for consecutive seasons, the 6-foot-2, 218-pound quarterback has become the team’s leader. Rising contributed to Utah’s victories over USC twice this season, the second of which was a commanding 47-24 victory over USC in the conference championship game.
Rising has suffered a few injuries, particularly during bowl games. Rising’s injury forced him to miss the Rose Bowl game for the second year in a row. The Utes were unable to overcome his absence, and they lost to Penn State, their second Big Ten opponent.
On Monday, tight end Brant Kuithe made the announcement that he would be returning to the team. In the latter part of September, Kuithe, who has been named to the second team All-Pac-12 three times, suffered an injury that ended his season.
Rising’s return to the Pac-12 for a second season solidifies what is expected to be the Pac-12’s all-time quarterback season. Caleb Williams from USC will play for an encore Heisman win, and DJ Uiagalelei, who transferred to Oregon State, will join Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon’s Bo Nix.
Arizona’s Jayden de Laura, Washington State’s Cameron Ward, UCLA’s Collin Schlee, former Notre Dame quarterback Drew Pyne at Arizona State, and Deion Sanders’ son Shedeur in Boulder are among the conference’s other standouts under center.