Utah Football’s Cam Rising Forced To Retire Due To Hand Injury
May 7, 2025, 1:32 PM | Updated: 5:32 pm
Cam Rising after suffering an injury vs Arizona State. PHOTO by KsVisiuals
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s star quarterback, Cam Rising, has been riddled by injury the last two seasons. Unfortunately, the finger injury Rising suffered in week two against Baylor has forced him to retire.
Despite returning from the finger injury against Arizona State, only to suffer yet another lower-leg injury on the third play of the game, the finger issue has remained a problem.
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Rising revealed that he has been advised to medically retire from football.
Bad Moon Out. pic.twitter.com/hfn5n5WtKB
— Cameron Rising (@crising7) May 7, 2025
Cam Rising issues statement on medical retirement
“Bad Moon Out.
Due to a hand injury I suffered during the Baylor game, I’ve been advised by two orthopedic physicians that I will never be able to return to playing football. I’ll be obtaining a 3rd medical opinion and will undergo the recommended surgery. I will continue to rehab and do all I can to get healthy. In the meantime, I will unfortunately be forced to medically retire from the game I love.
My why has always been my family. I have always thought of my teammates as my brothers and always will. Thank you guys for always pushing me to improve and just making this game enjoyable. Thank you to the coaches for guiding me in the right direction to become a better man and football player. Coach Ludwig, thank you for turning me into a football nerd and showing me the correct way to respect the game. Lastly, thank you to all the fans and everyone that supported me throughout my career. You all made the moments special.”
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The Bad Moon Rising
Rising joined the University of Utah in January of 2019, transferring from Texas with high hopes and a competitive spirit. Utah had just enjoyed its first trip to the Pac-12 Championship game and quarterback Tyler Huntley was entering his senior season. The fit made plenty of sense for both parties.
Rising would be forced to redshirt the 2019 season, which gave him the unique opportunity to spend time in the booth with offensive coordinator, Andy Ludwig. Though not learned until a few years later, that proved to put his acclimation into the offense ahead of the curve.
After just a glimpse of his ability in 2020, Rising’s ability and impact became quite clear in 2021. Rising suffered a shoulder injury in 2020 and Utah elected to bring in another transfer quarterback, Charlie Brewer, to start that season. The San Diego State game provided clear as-day evidence of the positive effect Rising had on the offense. From that point on, it was Rising’s team and his swagger permeated throughout the team.
Rising’s combination of leadership and playmaking quickly made him a fan favorite. His breakout performance throughout the 2021 season, put him on the map as one of the top quarterbacks in college football.
After suffering two early losses, Rising led Utah to their first win over USC in the Coliseum in program history. That game featured one of the most memorable plays of his career, an incorrectly signaled flea-flicker that led to a touchdown completion to Devaughn Vele. He quarterbacked the team to a win over a No. 4 ranked Oregon Ducks team in a dominant performance.
He followed that up with another win over the Ducks in the Pac-12 Championship game a few weeks later. Lastly, his 62-yard touchdown run on 4th and 1 against Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, will serve as one of the most memorable moments of his career.
He followed that up in 2022 with some of the greatest moments in Utah Football history. Utah fans will immortalize his late-game heroics against USC at home. Rising then led Utah to their second-straight championship title, while on a somewhat gimpy leg, cemented his status in the game.
The leader of the leaders leaves a lasting impact
Beyond the numbers and playmaking, Rising’s leadership qualities set him apart. His competitiveness and confidence permeated throughout the team as he established himself as the lead guy in 2021. That had a significant impact on the entire program. He brought a swagger that had been missing and was ultimately the missing element to Utah’s conference championship contention.
His positive attitude forged the team’s competitive will even during tough times. Regardless of how games started, Utah always had a chance to finish with a win in the end. That was apparent very early on in that 2021 season.
Utah faced Jayden Daniels and the Arizona State Sun Devils at home in just his second start. The Utes fell behind 21-7 at halftime and Rising had not played well. However, he bounced back and rallied the team with 28 unanswered points to secure a 35-21 win. In 2022, the Utes fell behind against Florida, and USC twice, but the Utes rallied in all three of those games and won two, one of which served as their second Pac-12 title.
There was always a chance with Rising. His leadership and competitiveness meant Utah was never out of the game. Rising’s leadership played a significant role in Utah’s rise over the last three or four years. His contributions helped elevate the program to new heights and solidified Whittingham’s status as head coach among the greats in the game.
Cam Rising’s unceremonious end to a great career
Rising’s injuries should not take anything away from his career. Injuries are an unfortunate part of any athlete’s career, and ultimately, they robbed Rising of his highest potential.
The 2023 season was particularly challenging as he attempted to return from a devastating knee injury he suffered against Penn State in the Rose Bowl. Sadly, those challenges persisted, resulting in a season-ending injury, the third of his career.
A player who has accomplished as much as he has should not have to go out like this. It’s an unfair conclusion for him, his teammates, and the fans.
Here’s to Cameron Rising, whose legacy is among the greatest of all time in Utah Football history.
