University of Utah quarterback Cam Rising is coming back.
The Utes announced on Monday that Rising intends to return for the 2023 season as a sixth-year senior, ending weeks of speculation about the Pac-12 championship game MVP’s future.
In addition to Rising, tight end Brant Kuithe and wide receiver Devaughn Vele also revealed Monday that they would be returning to the program next season.
“We only have seven seniors, so what you see with us is going to be very similar next year,” Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said in the lead-up to the Rose Bowl. “We will have some guys that move on to the next level, underclassmen, but we also have those conversations and give our guys advice when they seek it.
“You’ve got to be careful when you have those conversations because it’s got to be their decision. You can’t be too forceful one way or the other because ultimately it’s their careers, their lives. Our stance has always been during the season, it’s all about the team. After the season, it’s always about what’s best for the individual. That’s our approach. We’ll see what happens here with some of our underclassmen, but I think we’re going to get the vast majority of them returning, and that would be a good thing for us.”
Rising opting to return is a departure from what was expected two months ago. After a Senior Night win over Stanford on Nov. 12, Rising indicated he had played his final home game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. That was short of a declaration that he intended to enter the NFL Draft, essentially still leaving the door open for a return in 2023. As the situation was broached by reporters multiple times during the month of December, Rising was more coy on what his future looked like, which was widely viewed as an indication that a return was at least possible.
The Ventura, Calif. native ranked third in the Pac-12 and ninth nationally in QBR, while throwing for 3,034 yards, 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions for the 10-4 Utes, who fell to Penn State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 35-21. Midway through the third quarter, Rising left the game with what Whittingham later called a leg injury, and potentially something to worry about long term.
What exactly Rising’s status is remains unclear, but if he is ready for the beginning of the regular season, it stamps Utah as among the favorites in 2023 to win a third straight Pac-12 title.
Rising’s return also sets up a fascinating season for the conference, complete with strong quarterback play.
Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams at USC will be a true junior in 2023, while Oregon’s Bo Nix will return as a fifth-year senior and Washington’s Michael Penix Jr, like Rising, will be a sixth-year senior. Penix Jr. threw for 4,641 yards, 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions in finishing eighth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Additionally, 10-win Oregon State received a commitment last month from Clemson transfer and former five-star recruit DJ Uiagalelei, while five-star incoming freshman Dante Moore will be in the mix at UCLA to succeed Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
As a part of what is arguably the toughest schedule in program history, the Utes, who figure to begin the season ranked inside the top 15 thanks to Rising’s return, will play at the Trojans and Huskies, host the Ducks, and begin the season with high-profile matchups vs. Florida on Sept. 2 and at Baylor on Sept. 9.