Cam Rising announces medical retirement from football after suffering hand injury last season

SALT LAKE CITY — A hydration table on the sidelines of Rice-Eccles Stadium ended the football career of former Utah quarterback Cam Rising.

That fact became a reality Wednesday when the two-time Pac-12 championship winning QB announced his retirement from football due to that injury he sustained in September.

"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," Rising said in a post on social media platform X. "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."

Prior to the early-season injury, Utah had been picked to win the Big 12 in the program's first season in the new conference, with Rising leading the charge to what was expected to be an explosive offense.

The injury, which was originally believed to be a short rehab, kept the starting quarterback out for the rest of the season, except for a game on the road against Arizona State. Rising played the full game but was clearly hampered by the injury, making it the last game he played as a member of Utah.

Though that final game didn't go as planned for the Ventura, California, native, Rising will be remembered for leading Utah to back-to-back Pac-12 championships and going toe-to-toe with Ohio State in Utah's first-ever Rose Bowl game.

Rising closes out his collegiate career at Utah with 6,127 passing yards and 53 touchdowns with a 63% completion percentage.

"My why has always been my family," Rising said. "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 all the coaches for guiding me in the right direction to become a better man and football player. Coach (Andy) Ludwig, thank you for turning me into a football nerd and showing me the correct way to represent the game. Lastly, thank you to all the fans and everyone that supported me throughout my career. You all made the moments special."

Without Rising in the starting lineup, Utah's offense sputtered to a 5-7 season, forcing Kyle Whittingham to make a complete overhaul of the offensive side of the ball. As such, former offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig retired from football in an effort to help the change.

Utah looks to bounce back during the 2025 season with Jason Beck calling the plays as the team's new offensive coordinator, and dynamic dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier leading the charge as the team's starter.

Though Rising will no longer be able to play football, he's accepted a job as the offensive coordinator at his alma mater Newbury Park High, according to On3.

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