Utah quarterback Cam Rising is about to enter his seventh season of college football. Surprisingly, if he wants it, this year doesn’t have to be his last in Salt Lake City.
Rising has the option to play an eighth and final season in 2025 due to a proposed lawsuit settlement agreement between the NCAA and the U.S. Department of Justice. This agreement would restore one year of college eligibility to players who were required to miss a season due to the transfer eligibility rule during or since the 2019-20 academic year.
Rising has had a significant impact on the Utah football program since becoming the starting quarterback. The Texas transfer brought with him not only his talent but also a resilient and determined mentality that has resonated deeply with his teammates. Rising’s influence was felt immediately during the 2021 season with a Pac-12 championship.
Despite early setbacks, including injuries that limited his play, he quickly demonstrated his leadership on and off the field. His ability to maintain composure under pressure and his ability to make clutch plays have been vital in many of Utah’s victories. Rising’s performance against tough opponents demonstrated his resilience and ability to execute in high-risk situations.
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Beyond his heroic acts, Rising has been a key figure in fostering team cohesion and morale. His dedication to the game and his teammates has set a standard within the program. Known for his work ethic and positive attitude, Rising has earned the respect of coaches, teammates and fans. His leadership extends beyond the playing field, as he has become a mentor to younger players, helping them adapt to the rigors of college football and embodying the values of Utah’s football culture.
Rising, 25, and all other Division I athletes already had an extra year of eligibility due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The NCAA granted everyone an extra year and many across the country took advantage, including Rising. He would be the same age as Utah’s Devaughn Vele, who was the oldest available player in the 2024 NFL Draft. The former Utes wide receiver was selected by the Denver Broncos at the age of 26.
The Justice Department’s antitrust division joined a lawsuit in January, alleging that the transfer rule “limited competition for college athletes and restricted their ability to transfer to colleges and universities that provided them with better educational and athletic opportunities.” The lawsuit also included 10 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
The proposed agreement would also require the NCAA to stop enforcing its transfer eligibility rule or any similar rule “that requires a Division I student-athlete to maintain a period of residency or refrain from competing solely because of a transfer between NCAA member institutions. Part of the reason Rising opted to play in 2024 was because of an injury that kept him out of the entire 2023 season.
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