Utah QB Cam opts out indefinitely, Isaac Wilson starts

Utah quarterback Cam Rising will be out “indefinitely” and true freshman Isaac Wilson will start in his place, Utes coach Kyle Whittingham announced Monday.

Rising returned to the field Friday against Arizona State after sitting out the last three games with a hand injury, but suffered a lower leg injury early in the contest. He stayed in the game but was visibly hampered, completing just 16 of 37 passes with three interceptions and no touchdowns in a 27-19 loss.

Whittingham typically doesn't provide updates on injuries unless they are season-ending in nature, but began his press conference by addressing Rising's status.

“Isaac Wilson will be our starter for the time being – so we don't have to bring it up every time we talk,” Whittingham said. “I can’t give you a timetable. It could be the rest of the season. I don’t know exactly how long it will take, but I know it will take a minute.”

Rising's injury is the latest of many setbacks that have plagued him throughout his career. He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury early in the first game of the 2020 season; left the Rose Bowl game due to a concussion to end the 2021 season; and suffered a serious knee injury in the Rose Bowl the following season, causing him to miss all of 2023.

The 25-year-old Rising began his career at Texas, where he redshirted in 2018, and sat out the 2019 season after transferring to Utah. Whittingham hinted that Rising might be eligible to play for another season, but it's unclear if that will happen.

“Now that we’re in the situation we’re in, that’s a possibility,” Whittingham said. “We have to clarify this in detail with the compliance department. And I'm not even sure Cam would be interested in going that route. He's got a lot to think about and so he just needs to take a step.” Now come back and let them thoroughly diagnose this latest injury… That would be something we would talk about sooner rather than later.

Wilson, the brother of NFL quarterback Zach Wilson, was a four-star prospect and the No. 13 ranked pocket passer in the Class of 2024. He completed 68 of 122 passes for 830 yards this season, with six touchdowns and seven interceptions .

The Utes (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) won two of Wilson's three starts.