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Cam Rising is retiring from college football. The Utah veteran has spent seven seasons at the NCAA level after suffering a number of serious injuries.
The latest of those setbacks ultimately led him to the retirement decision. He’s been advised to hang up the cleats, ending any potential pursuit of Year 8 with the Utes.
Rising has had a long and winding college path. It began as a 2018 recruit where he signed onto play at Texas. He redshirted his freshman year before transferring to Utah. His full timeline is listed below:
2018: Texas (redshirt)
2019: Utah (redshirt)
2020: Utah (Injured after 1 game)
2021: Utah (13 games)
2022: Utah (13 games, season-ending injury)
2023: Utah (redshirt)
2024: Utah (3 games, injured)
He’s met the four-game eligibility requirement just twice in his seven-year college career. A return for an eighth year was on the table in 2025. Rising was asked about the possibility of a return at media days this past season. “That’s not the plan,” he said.
That, of course, came before his most recent injury. Unfortunately, he won’t have the option to return to Utah even if his mind had changed.
Cam Rising is retiring.
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Rising has medically retired due to his history of significant injuries. He finishes his career with 6,127 yards and 53 touchdowns. He led the Utes to 20 wins and two PAC 12 titles during his two full seasons as a starter.
“Due to a hand injury suffered during the Baylor game, I’ve been advised by two orthopedic physicians that I will never be able to return to playing football,” he wrote in a message on X. “I’ll be obtaining a third medical opinion and will undergo the recommended surgery…
“I will continue to rehab and do all I can to get healthy. Unfortunately, I’ll be forced to retire from the game I love.”
Cam Rising’s career is over. It will be interesting to see if he remains close to football or pursues another professional avenue. Despite the forced exit, he’ll remain a Utah football legend.