Utah has its leader back.

Quarterback Cameron Rising will return for the 2023 season, what figures to mark his third straight as the team’s starter, as Utah seeks a third consecutive Pac-12 championship. The Utes announced the news Monday with a video on social media.

Rising took over early in the 2021 season and spurred immediate change in the Utah offense. He started the Utes’ final 11 games of the season, going 9-2 and leading the team to its first Pac-12 title and a berth in the Rose Bowl.

Heading into 2022, Rising and the Utes had College Football Playoff aspirations. Those were dashed, however, in Week 1 with a loss to Florida in the Swamp during which Rising threw a crucial late-game interception in the endzone as Utah drove for a win.

Rising’s favorite target, tight end Brant Kuithe, was lost for the season in Week 4 because of an injury.

And yet all Rising and the Utes did was overcome. They won nine of 11 to close out the regular season and earn a trip back to the Pac-12 Championship Game, where’d they’d defeat USC 47-24 to claim a second consecutive title and trip to the Rose Bowl.

Rising’s return in 2023 seems to be about unfinished business. He has been knocked out of each of the Utes’ Rose Bowl appearances — both losses — and has yet to capture that elusive CFP berth.

Rising finished the 2022 season top-10 nationally in total QBR. He threw for 3,034 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 65% of his passes. During the 2021 season, he threw for 2,493 yards and 20 touchdowns.