Cam Rising Big Reason For Utah’s Success, Despite Being Ineligible

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – There are many factors that go into building a formidable college football program and most of them are never talked about. Some of the most important players on any college football team do not even strap the pads and helmets on game days.

The scout team is what I am referring to. For those of you that are unaware of what the scout team does, hear me out.

The scout team consists of players that are usually either young and in need of developing or players that are not eligible to play, such as Cam Rising, the quarterback who transferred from Texas and was not granted a waiver to immediately play this season.

Welcome QB @crising7 to the #UtahFootballFamily! He is also already on campus. #UBoyz #UtahNSD19 pic.twitter.com/WG3A1IAgbj

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 6, 2019

We will talk about Rising more as the story unfolds, but first, let’s get back to what the scout team does.

To start every week, they watch countless hours of the upcoming opponent’s film. Their main objective is to replicate upcoming opponents to the best of their ability.

They will wear the same numbers as the players, they wear the same colored jerseys of the upcoming team. Everything they do is an attempt to directly replicate the upcoming team.

Scout team is also tasked with running the same plays as the upcoming opponent, although the play calls cannot be exactly the same, formations and shifts are very similar.

Sensational 😂 https://t.co/fydxx0nUbY

— Cameron Rising (@crising7) June 30, 2019

Depending on the week, the position scout players may play changes. For example, if Utah is playing a team that has a mobile quarterback then the scout team quarterback must be elusive and agile.

Impact Of Rising

Cam Rising is this year’s scout team quarterback. I have heard rumblings that if Rising was eligible to play this year, he would be the clear cut back up. He may have even pushed starting quarterback Tyler Huntley for playing time, although we will never know because the NCAA deemed him ineligible for the 2019 season.

Another #ThursdayThreads with @crising7 showing off the new red full zip hoodie #MoarRed pic.twitter.com/bxyHAcI1pb

— UtesEquipment (@UtesEquipment) August 8, 2019

A good scout team quarterback prepares the defense for the upcoming challenge. The better the scout team, generally, the better the performance by the team come game day.

Rising is a quarterback that possesses many skills, his tall, broad frame allows him to stand in the pocket and take shots. While his athleticism helps him evade pressure and pick up yards with his legs.

What separates a good quarterback from being great, however, is his arm talent. According to conversations I have had with people close to the program, Rising’s arm talent is elite and he has the ability to make every throw that is asked of him.

From his arm strength to his accuracy, Rising has the Utah coaches licking their lips at the thought of him being at the helm next season.

Preparing For 2020

During every home game this season, I have found myself eating slices of pizza with Rising in the equipment room of Rice Eccles Stadium. Rising has been spending his gamedays in the coaches booth, alongside offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. Rising told me that the birds-eye view of the field from the booth has helped further prepare him for 2020.

Rising is also becoming familiar with how Ludwig calls the plays. The development that Rising is experiencing is priceless for Utah, whether it is on the practice field on the scout team, or in the coaches booth on gamedays.

Utah is preparing and developing their future quarterback nicely.

Clocked in this morning with University of Utah QB @crising7 #goutes #utahfootball #qbtraining #ironsharpensiron pic.twitter.com/aqzO4D3mS2

— Lavelle Durant (@Trainervelle) May 10, 2019