SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football won one and lost one with the NCAA on Monday.
The Utes learned that senior receiver Derrick Vickers has received a five-year clock extension, allowing him to play this season. The junior college transfer appeared in five games in 2018 and average 19.5 yards on four kickoff returns.
Vickers was a first-team All-American in 2014 and 2016 at Bakersfield College in California. He redshirted in 2015 and did not play football in 2017.
The news wasn’t as good for quarterback Cameron Rising. The NCAA denied a petition from the Texas transfer to become immediately eligible at Utah. Rising, who was a freshman last season, participated in spring ball with the Utes. He’ll be able to continue practicing with the team until becoming eligible for games the season after next.
“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,” Whittingham said in announcing the NCAA decisions.
Whittingham later noted that although Rising won’t be able to compete with Tyler Huntley and Jason Shelley for the starting job this fall he’s still a great addition to the team.
“We’re excited about what the future holds for him,” Whittingham said.
As for Vickers, Whittingham said that he “worked extremely hard for this opportunity” and “gives us another playmaker at the wide receiver position.”
Whittingham acknowledged that the Vickers decision could have gone either way.
“We’re just elated that it went our way,” he said.