The Utah Utes’ quarterback situation remains one of the most scrutinized aspects of the season, as head coach Kyle Whittingham struggles with decisions following the injury to Cam Rising.
A reliable starter, Rising returned to action against Arizona State after recovering from a hand injury that sidelined him for several weeks. Unfortunately, his return was cut short by a season-ending injury during the same game, causing the Utes to reconsider their options under center.
Under Whittingham, Utah’s football program is notoriously tight-lipped, with minimal leaks, a rarity in college football. This secrecy has fueled intrigue, especially around the journey of Quarterback Rising. As one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in college, Rising was expected to lead Utah to a Big 12 title in his seventh year. His career faced a major hurdle after suffering a knee injury in the 2023 Rose Bowl that sidelined his season. Still, Whittingham praised Rising’s impact on and off the field, calling him a leader with the “it” factor. But that will have to wait until Rising undergoes surgery. There’s also a strong indication that he’s done with Salt Lake City and will likely play his eighth year elsewhere. At this point, Whittingham says Rising’s future is uncertain.
Utes freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of Denver Broncos QB Zach Wilson, assumed the starting QB role for most of the season. His performance was mixed, but he held that spot until Utah’s recent road game against the Houston Cougars. During that game, Wilson completed 13 of 22 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown before being replaced by backup quarterback Brandon Rose in the third quarter.
However, Rose’s relief appearances were underwhelming, completing 7 of 15 attempts for 45 yards and only one interception. Whittingham suggested the change was intended to cause stagnation in the offense rather than a complete replacement of the starting quarterback.
After the loss, Whittingham announced that he would closely evaluate both QBs. He said he will “score film” in the upcoming bye week, focusing on whether Wilson or Rose can move the offense forward more. Whittingham said Wilson didn’t necessarily lose the starting job, but emphasized that all players must meet performance standards, especially in a high-stakes role like quarterback.
In preparation for Utah’s key rivalry game against No. 9 BYU, Whittingham decided to split practice reps between Wilson and Rose. He’s taking a cautious approach, acknowledging the need to improve the offense while being hesitant to predict a clear solution. One addition to the QB battle is that Whittingham says Wilson has been playing through injuries lately.
The competition between the two QBs adds another layer of complexity to Utah’s already uncertain season, and it remains to be seen whether a change will solve the team’s woes. As Utah inches closer to playing BYU, all eyes will be on who will step up under center and whether that selection can ultimately stabilize Utah’s shaky offense. Probably. That will be a focus for Mike Bajakian, who replaced Andy Ludwig as interim offensive coordinator less than two weeks ago.
But juggling a QB is just a small story for the Utes. Many are wondering if Whittingham isn’t preparing for his departure next month. Known for making cautious comments about his retirement, he hinted he would not coach past the age of 65 in 2021, a milestone he approaches. Whittingham recently softened his stance, but admitted the show was coming to an end, prompting fans to speculate about the show’s future.
