Despite Battling For Starting Quarterback, Cameron Rising, Jake Bentley Hit It Off Early

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The University of Utah football program has a quarterback battle on their hands. But the two players competing for the job don’t see it that way when talking about the quarterback competition.

Sophomore Texas transfer quarterback Cameron Rising will battle South Carolina transfer quarterback Jake Bentley for the starting job in the spring and the competition will likely leak into fall camp in August.

The duo quarterbacks got to know each other when Bentley was on his official visit to Utah when the two guys hit it off.

As spring football practice approaches, the two players have mutual respect and don’t consider the competition for the starting quarterback job a battle.

‘Iron Sharpens Iron’

Another quarterback that is in the equation is senior Drew Lisk who served as one of the two backups to Tyler Huntley last season. Rising believes that the other two QB’s believe are making him better.

“Iron sharpens Iron so [we will] fly around and play some beautiful American football,” Rising said. “Whatever happens, happens and that’s how we are going to go.”

Utah QB Cam Rising is worried about getting better in the spring rather than the QB battle.

Although, he does welcome the competition.#Utes @kslsports pic.twitter.com/e7tfVFMoip

— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) March 3, 2020

Rising said that he and Bentley’s relationship has been great ever since the visit.

“I was there on his official [visit] over here and we just got to know each other and it has been a good relationship ever since,” Rising added.

Bentley makes a point that quarterbacks who are battling for a starting job are not friends or have any kind of relationship.

“That’s a common misconception of guys that are competing don’t have to be friends,” Bentley stated. “One of the first things that I noticed about the quarterback room is that it’s really close. It’s been really fun to get to know those guys.”

Working To Improve

After the first day of spring football practice, both Bentley and Rising had one common goal of what they want to accomplish and that’s to get better every day.

“When it comes to competing for the starting spot, it’s not really my focus in the spring,” Rising stated. “My focus is to strive to be a better player every day, make sure I am watching film and doing what I need to do.”

Rising was ineligible last season after transferring from Texas to Utah. During the 2019 season, Rising was the scout team quarterback and helped prepare Utah’s defense every week for the upcoming opponent.

Despite being in a quarterback battle this off-season, South Carolina graduate transfer @JakeBentley19 has a great relationship with @drewlisker & @crising7.#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/BEGbTitHNK

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) March 3, 2020

Even though Bentley and Rising don’t considered the starting quarterback job a battle yet, Rising is open to the competition.

“Absolutely,” said Rising. “That’s all I want to do [is compete]. I was a big fan of Kobe Bryant and the Mamba mentality and trying achieve and be great every chance I get.”

Bentley has the same mindset but is doing everything he can to get the offense down while improving his game.

“This spring is mainly just trying to get back into it,” Bentley mentioned. “It’s been a while, since the first game of the year that I have been out here. Just continue to progress and continue to grasp the offense and what coach Ludwig is trying to do on offense and just keep getting better every day.”

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