2023 College Football: Will Cameron Rising Play in the Season Opener?

With less than a month remaining until the commencement of the 2023 season, Utah's quarterback scenario remains unclear. Senior Cameron Rising's role as the starting quarterback is shrouded in mystery, largely due to pending medical clearance. 

This uncertainty casts a shadow over Utah, as the incumbent starter is sidelined from the initial matchup against the Gators while rehabilitating from the ACL injury sustained during January's Rose Bowl.

Given that the ACL tear occurred less than eight months ago, Rising is not likely to regain his pre-injury form until later in the season. While Rising possesses some dual-threat capability, this season may see him primarily functioning as a pocket passer.

On Aug. 31, Utah is poised to host Florida in a highly anticipated rematch of last season's engaging opener, where despite a valiant effort, Utah narrowly fell short with a score of 29-26. Rising's impressive performance, accumulating 216 yards through the air, a touchdown, and an astonishing 91 rushing yards on a mere seven carries, underscored his pivotal role. 

"I will say that we are a little bit beat up right now as a team which you would expect 14 days in," Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham said Tuesday, per KSL Sports. "We're over the halfway point- 11 practices to go and so hopefully we'll get guys back, but camp is physical. That's how it always is. Nothing different this year. We are little bit beat up but hope to see some guys work their way back into the mix and start taking reps again."

Whittingham said to the media there’s been no update on Risings status over the last few days.

"Right now, if we had to play today, it would be Bryson Barnes," Whittingham said. 

Barnes, currently the team's third-string quarterback, assumes a more significant role following an injury to second-string quarterback Brandon Rose during a recent scrimmage. Rose's ailment necessitated a hospital visit, as confirmed in a social media post by his family.

Ranked 13th by the ESPN preseason poll, the Utes will need to wait and see if they can secure their Pac-12 crown in the absence of both their quarterbacks.