Arguably the best quarterback in Fresno State football history has announced his retirement after 11 years in the NFL.
Derek Carr’s College Greatness Still Echoes At His NFL Farewell
As the 2025 NFL offseason progressed, there were rumblings in New Orleans about quarterback Derek Carr’s shoulder.
A former Oakland and Las Vegas Raider, Carr had spent the past two seasons with the Saints and was shaping up to be their starter this upcoming fall — if healthy. However, reports surfaced this morning that his shoulder may never regain strength even if he had surgery.
He announced his retirement this morning.
Saints QB Derek Carr is retiring after 11 seasons. (via @rapsheet, @tompelissero, @mikegarafolo) pic.twitter.com/irJJ7PVV7V
— NFL (@NFL) May 10, 2025
Carr had a very respectable NFL career—he made four Pro Bowls—but his college career was even more memorable, as he played for the Fresno State Bulldogs from 2009 to 13.
During that time, he rewrote the program record books, and many of those marks still stand today.
Unranked as a prospect, it was no surprise that Carr didn’t contribute much during his first two seasons in the program. But after winning the starting job ahead of the 2011 season, the nation became fully aware of who the Bakersfield, CA, native was.
Though the Bulldogs managed just four wins, Carr produced a terrific first season, completing 62.6% of his passes for 3,544 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He also added three scores on the ground.
More than anything, it was apparent that he belonged.
Things began to take off in 2012, when he led Fresno State to a 9-win season while upping each of his completion percentage (67.3%), passing yards (4,104), passing touchdowns (37), while lowering his interceptions (seven). In the fifth season game, he tied the program record for passing yards when he passed for 536 yards. He was named to the first-team All-Mountain West for his efforts.
Carr then had to decide whether to enter the 2012 NFL Draft, where he’d likely be a sure-fire pick in the later rounds, or return to school for his senior campaign.
He chose the latter and produced at a level that no Bulldogs QB had ever before — or since.
His 5,082 yards and 50 touchdowns were the highest marks in a single season in program history. They still stand today. During the season against New Mexico, he set the program record with seven passing touchdowns in a single game. Once again, he was named first-team All-Mountain West.
Team success came with it, as Carr led the Bulldogs to an 11-1 regular season capped off with a victory over Utah State to claim the Mountain West Conference championship.
Fresno State was then awarded a trip to Las Vegas to take on USC, where they were defeated. They finished 11-2 on the season — a far cry from the four wins during Carr’s first season as the signal-caller.
By the end of his time at Fresno State, Carr was the leader in career passing yards (12,842) and career passing touchdowns (113). He was also the single-season leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and single-game passing yards and passing touchdowns — a clean sweep of the record books.
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Carr declared for the 2023 NFL Draft following his historic senior season and was selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 36th pick in the 2nd round. He started right away, beginning a solid pro career.
Although he’ll likely be remembered most for his work at the NFL level, the sheer production and excellence that Carr exuded during his time at Fresno State can never be forgotten.
The record books would surely agree.
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