Andy Ludwig clarifies Utah’s pecking order at QB for Alamo Bowl, with Drew Lisk the backup and Cameron Rising third string

Utah QB Cameron Rising runs during a scrimmage at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 5, 2019. | Deseret News

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger says the Utes are getting a good one in Cameron Rising

SAN ANTONIO — Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig provided some clarity to the quarterback situation for the Alamo Bowl. The news filled in the gaps between starter Tyler Huntley, the move of backup Jason Shelley to defense and Texas transfer Cameron Rising being eligible to play.

Ludwig announced that Rising is third on the depth chart.

“Drew Lisk will be the No. 2 quarterback. Cam Rising has been in redshirt mode the majority of the season becoming eligible here in the month of December for the bowl practices,” Ludwig said. “He has repped predominantly with the scout team through the majority of the year. He has not had great exposure to the Utes’ offensive system in terms of taking actual reps. So he will be the third quarterback in this football game.”

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger had good things to say about his former teammate.

“Cam is a great dude and I really miss having him around. It’s really cool that we get to get back together and see each other again,” Ehlinger said. “Having him at the facility every day was always fun to be around him. He’s hard working, a great dude, so I think it’s really, really cool that we get the opportunity to meet up again and I’m looking forward to what he can do further on in his college career.”

Ehlinger wasn’t aware that Rising could play in the Alamo Bowl, saying “it would be awesome” if he saw action. “I hope he does.”

Huntley’s graduation and Shelley’s shift to safety has opened the door to a competition between Rising and South Carolina graduate transfer Jake Bentley for the starting job next season.

Ehlinger is confident the Utes are getting a good one in Rising.

“Absolutely. A great quarterback and a great person,” he said.

When asked what makes Rising so good on the field, Ehlinger said the sophomore has “a really special arm.” On top of that, he continued, Rising can “get moving” in the run game.

“His athletic ability and then his accuracy and his arm strength, he does a really good job of putting the ball in places that receivers can go get it,” Ehlinger said.

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