Whittingham: ‘Huge’ Knowing Cam Rising Entrenched As QB1 In Spring

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham said it was “huge” for the Utes to have Cam Rising established as the team’s quarterback throughout spring.

On Monday, April 25, Whittingham discussed the Utes’ spring practices, Rising, and the status of Utah’s quarterback room during an interview with Hans Olsen and Scott Garrard on The Zone Sports Network.

Garrard asked the coach about the relief of knowing Rising is returning at quarterback following a productive 2021 season.

“That’s huge,” Whittingham answered. “Not only having the position settled but having it settled by a first-team All-PAC-12 player. I mean, Cam Rising is just an absolute stud. He’s our guy.”

Cam Rising shines in Utes big win over USC, 42-26. This is Utah's first win vs. USC in Los Angeles since 1916.

22/28 passes, 306 yards, and 3 touchdowns. #goutes #utahutes @Utah_Football @kslsports pic.twitter.com/CrWibWaMox

— Andy Muñoz (@andymunoz48) October 10, 2021

2022 will be the first time that the Utes will start the same quarterback that the program finished the previous year with since Tyler Huntley’s departure to the NFL in 2019.

Jake Bentley was QB1 for the Utes in 2020 and Charlie Brewer opened the 2021 campaign as Utah’s starter.

Whittingham, who has been Utah’s head coach since 2005, continued by praising Rising’s production and leadership on the field.

“As good of numbers and production he puts up just statistically, you know, he means even more to us with the intangibles and the leadership, that ‘it’ factor, the way he just takes charge of everything,” Whittingham said of his quarterback. “I’m talking about, you know, everything from in the weight room to on the practice field to everything we do. And so that’s, that’s a great starting point ff you want to be a good football team.

Whittingham said that behind Rising, the Utes are still working on who will serve as Utah’s QB2 and QB3.

The coach said that Bryson Barnes and Ja’Quinden Jackson had “solid spring performances.” Whittingham added that Nate Johnson and Brandon Rose will also be in the mix for Utah’s backup positions.

Whittingham said those battles will continue into fall camp.

Play the interview below to listen to the entirety of Whittingham’s conversation on The Zone Sports Network.

About Cam Rising

After taking over as starting quarterback early in the Utes’ 2021 campaign, Rising put up excellent numbers on his way to leading Utah to its first-ever Pac-12 Conference title and a spot in the Rose Bowl Game.

The Ventura, California native finished the year throwing for 2,493 yards, 20 touchdowns, and five interceptions with a 63.8 percent completion rate. On the ground, Rising added 74 carries for 499 yards and six touchdowns.

Sneak attack!@Utah_Football's Cam Rising quickly gets his team on the board on the opening drive.

📺 Pac-12 Networks
📱 https://t.co/axnrWIJ2mx#GoUtes | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/MXDRyDE8mi

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 13, 2021

Utah opens its 2022 season on the road against the Florida Gators on September 2.

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