Some news hit a week ago about one Utah football player getting an extra season on the hill, and one player have to sit and wait their turn. Utah wide receiver Derrick Vickers was granted an extra season to play football, and is eligible to play in the 2019 season. This is no big surprise to anyone really, especially since Vickers was practicing with the team in the spring. Vickers saw some spot duty after last year after sitting out the 2017 season. The speedster could be a fun weapon for the Utes in the passing game, as well as in the return game. I think he could be a contributor this fall, and I’m excited to see what he does.
As for the guy who has to sit out, incoming transfer QB Cam Rising has to sit out a season after transferring into Utah from Texas after his freshman season. The 4-star QB had high hopes of being ruled eligible going into the season, especially with other QBs in similar situations around the country getting the ruling to play. It hurts depth a bit for 2019, but now it gives Rising a solid year of development and learning the play book before he competes with Jason Shelley for the starting job in 2020. I don’t think it’s all bad news that he has to sit out, and I’m interested to see what the future holds for this young man.
You can see more from the official press release below, including a quote from Coach Whitt:
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah—The Utah football program has been informed that the NCAA has approved a five-year clock extension for wide receiver Derrick Vickers, allowing him participate as a senior for the Utes in 2019. The program also has learned that the petition to grant immediate eligibility for transfer quarterback Cameron Rising to compete in 2019 was not approved. Rising, a freshman at Texas last fall, enrolled at Utah in the spring. The NCAA ruled he must complete a year in residence as a member of the Utes’ program, and will be eligible to practice but may not compete in 2019. ”We are pleased to hear that Derrick has been granted a fifth year of eligibility and will be able to play for us in the upcoming season,” said head coach Kyle Whittingham. “He has worked extremely hard for this opportunity and he gives us another playmaker at the wide receiver position. While we’re disappointed that Cameron’s waiver was denied, he will continue to have a positive impact on our program and he will be ready to compete for us in 2020 and beyond.” Vickers played in five games for Utah in 2018 and returned four kickoffs for 78 yards (19.5) with a long return of 22 yards. He joined the program prior to the 2018 season from Bakersfield College, where he earned California Community College Football Coaches Association first-team All-America all-purpose honors in 2014 and 2016. He redshirted in 2015 and did not play in 2017.