Derek Carr, a standout quarterback at Fresno State from 2009 to 2013, earned first-team All-Mountain West Conference honors twice before heading to the NFL. Selected in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, Carr spent 11 seasons in the league.
A four-time Pro Bowler, he led the Raiders to playoff appearances in 2016 and 2021—the team’s first postseason since 2002. On Saturday, Carr and the New Orleans Saints officially announced his retirement, a decision that “came as a big surprise” to a former Fresno State athletic administrator who knew him well.
Where It All Started — Derek Carr’s Impact on Fresno State Football
Before his NFL success, Carr left a lasting legacy at Fresno State, where he played quarterback from 2009 to 2013. Enrolling early in 2009 to participate in spring practices, Carr followed the path of his brother, David Carr, a former Bulldog standout and 2002 No. 1 NFL Draft pick. Although head coach Pat Hill initially considered Carr for the starting role, junior Ryan Colburn got the nod. Carr saw limited action in five games that year and redshirted in 2010.
In 2011, Carr was named the starting quarterback at Fresno State. He recorded 3,544 passing yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in a 4–9 season. His performance in Idaho stood out, as he threw 371 yards and five touchdown passes.
The following year, under new head coach Tim DeRuyter, Carr elevated his play and led the Bulldogs to a 9–4 record. He threw for 4,104 yards, 37 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His targets included breakout receiver Davante Adams.
Notable games that year included a 536-yard, five-touchdown outing against San Diego State and a 452-yard performance against Air Force. He was named Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
In his senior year in 2013, Carr performed extraordinary exploits. He led the FBS in passing yards with 5,083 yards and 50 touchdowns; he finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy while also winning the Sammy Baugh Trophy. Fresno State boasted a 11–2 record, their most effective effor, since 2001, and claimed the Mountain West championship in a clear victory.
Carr passed for over 500 yards in multiple games, including a 519-yard, six-touchdown shootout against San Jose State and a seven-touchdown performance in a win over New Mexico. He threw 404 yards and three scores in the conference championship win over Utah State. In his final collegiate game, Carr passed for 217 yards and two touchdowns in a Las Vegas Bowl loss to USC.
KEEP READING: Remembering Derek Carr’s College Greatness as He Steps Away from the Game
Over his college career, Carr totaled 12,843 passing yards, 113 touchdowns, and a 66.7% completion rate, setting 27 school records and 21 Mountain West marks. His overall starting record was 24–15.
He was also named an All-America twice, won the MWC Offensive Player of the Year title twice, and was named a National Scholar-Athlete. In 2017, Fresno State retired his No. 4 jersey to honor him, and in 2019, they added a tribute mural on campus to commemorate his life.
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