Rise Above: Cameron Rising, QB, Utah Utes

First Round Mock’s William Yanish has been bullish on Utah quarterback (QB) Cameron Rising all along.

What can I say?

Last year was the first that I started ranking players for a publication. Eventually, my BIG Three started including my favorite players, not the ones that I thought were the best at their positions.

However, that will not change the fact of who is the best quarterback (QB) in the 2024 class.

QB Cam Rising of the Utah Utes is a name that so many ignore. It’s almost an insult, but the film doesn’t lie and this kid is a star. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound gunslinger is as tough as they come and he has the heart to match.

Background

Rising originally committed to Texas where he spent the year as a redshirt before transferring to Utah. He’s gone toe-to-toe in different QB competitions and always comes out on top. This kid has taken the reins of a helluva tough Utah team and made them better.

Rising led his tight-end (TE) last year Dalton Kincaid on a first-round, first-class ticket to a Buffalo team, where he could be the missing piece of their Super Bowl puzzle. Stars are made. TE Brant Kuithe is the next star.

There’s so much to the resume that Rising is building…including a pair of PAC-12 Championships and victories over some of the biggest competitors in college football.

What’s the game film saying?

My editor, Daniel Kelly, has even gone deep enough to compare Rising to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen.

I couldn’t agree more.

Who doesn’t want to see the second coming of Josh Allen?

What comes out of watching the film is second to none.

Rising is special.

I thought last year he would come out and blast everyone in front of him.

Heisman Trophy?

He’ll be in the running.

He was my QB1 last year and that hasn’t changed.

I would pound the table for him if my job depended upon it.

The Yanish Report

A blast to watch. He takes competition to the highest level. Quick compact release. Utilizes tight ends to the highest level. This is a QB that could take the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, or any other QB-needy team and bring them to life. Good footwork. Deep ball placement could improve. Absolutely LETHAL on his feet and in the air. Knows every position on the field. Next level cerebral. Straight mechanical. Charismatic. Prismatic. Leader of men.

For the win

Rising is going to be the steal of the 2024 draft.

While injury history could affect his draft position, I wouldn’t worry about that. Bumps and bruises barely get to him. According to The Salt Lake Tribune, his Head Coach Kyle Whittingham expects Rising to return (torn ACL) for the opener against Florida on Aug. 31.

Age? Who cares? I’ll call it right now… Another PAC-12 Championship is well on the way.

Don’t worry about USC QB Caleb Williams. Rise above.

He’s it. He’s the guy who will beat anyone. Here is another prospect that I don’t have any questions about. He’s the top competitor of any of the 15 QBs that I have worked on this year.

How Rising stacks up and game film reviewed

My 2024 NFL Draft Value: First-Round (top-15)

Pro comparison: Josh Allen

My previous article: Bad Man Rising – Utah QB Cameron Rising

Game Film Evidence

Pac-12 Championship vs Oregon ‘21

Arizona State ‘21

Florida ‘22

UCLA ‘22

Pac-12 Championship vs USC ‘22

William Yanish III is a lifelong football fan. He’s from the little town of Crawford, Colorado. Along the way, he’s lived in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, and Brookings, Oregon. Quarterback Joe Montana was his idol growing up. A little bit of CTE from life’s adventures killed his dreams as a football player. Now, he is an aspiring writer and Draft Analyst at FirstRoundMock.com. He’s a fanatic with a dream, which is coming true.