Report: Utah Expected to Start QB Bryson Barnes vs. Florida

Reporting suggests that Utah will be without its typical starting quarterback, Cameron Rising, against Florida in Week 1.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -- With Utah's listed starting quarterback Cameron Rising having yet to be fully cleared from a January ACL tear, the Utes are expected to name Bryson Barnes as their signal-caller for their Thursday night, season-opening home matchup with Florida, per Joshua Newman of KSL.com.

"The expectation at this point is that Bryson Barnes, sources confirm, will start the opener vs. Florida," Newman wrote on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter on Wednesday, sharing the news in a promotion for his podcast. 

"There is plenty of context to clarify, so come through." 

Rising has been a limited participant in practice since Utah began its fall training camp. He did not take part in the team's scrimmages, with his typical reps originally going to redshirt freshman Brandon Rose, although Rose recently suffered a practice injury that resulted in Barnes being elevated to the first team. 

"Right now, if we had to play today," Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham suggested about his quarterback on Aug. 15, "[the starter] would be Bryson Barnes."  

Barnes, a junior, originally joined Utah as a walk-on in 2020 but has since been promoted to the scholarship roster. He made three appearances in 2021 and another ten in 2022 with one start, and has completed 39-of-59 passing attempts with 453 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions in his college career. 

Additionally, redshirt freshman Nate Johnson will be expected to factor into a rotation at quarterback for Utah 

Kickoff between the Utes and Gators is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. MT on Thursday, Aug. 31.

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