| Editor's note: Throughout the season, Pro Football Weekly will run a
continuing series of articles spotlighting top prospects for the 2002 draft. 
If Fresno State’s Cinderella season continues, the Bulldogs can thank senior QB
David Carr for taking them to the ball.
Carr threw four interceptions in his first start as a junior, a 43-10 loss at Ohio
State. It would have been easy for an unknown commodity like Carr to fall into an
emotional funk, especially with UCLA on the slate the following week. But the Fresno
signalcaller went out and completed 20-of-33 passes and threw three touchdowns — no
interceptions — with a QB rating of 154. In his last 15 games, Carr has had only one
outing with a rating below 98.9, totaling 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions.
At the midpoint of the season, Carr tops Pro Football Weekly’s rankings for senior
quarterbacks. PFW personnel analyst Joel Buchsbaum said of Carr, "He is emerging as
the top senior quarterback."
"He’s just really developed as a leader," FSU offensive coordinator Andy
Ludwig said. "He really seems to be adjusting to that role and has become a great
leader and quarterback."
Ludwig, who also serves as the Bulldogs’ QB coach, said Carr’s accuracy is
his greatest strength, as supported by a .626 completion percentage through five games
this season.
"This offense is designed to highlight those strengths," Ludwig said.
"But we also have some experience around him, with 15 fifth-year seniors and three
senior wide receivers."
The improbable start by FSU featured wins over Colorado, Oregon State and Wisconsin,
three programs that started the season in the Top 25.
"(He was) outstanding," said Kevin Cosgrove, Wisconsin’s defensive
coordinator. "He was every bit as good as I thought he was on the film, in
person."
Cosgrove’s defense was frustrated in a 32-20 loss, and he came away impressed with
Carr’s quick release and accuracy.
"He wants to throw the ball first," Cosgrove added, pointing out Carr’s
athletic ability does allow him to scramble. "We just had to make sure we had
everybody covered down the field … and maybe pressure him a little bit to force him
into a bad decision. But we couldn’t do that. He’s just a very good
quarterback."
Carr threw what was his first interception of the season at Wisconsin but came back
with two touchdowns.
Cosgrove’s scouting report sums up Carr in a nutshell:
"A tremendous football player. As good a football player as I’ve seen in a
while as far as a thrower and decision-maker. He’s accurate and has a strong arm,
makes good decisions."
With Fresno State creeping into the Top 10 this week, the Bulldogs are counting on Carr
to lead them to a major bowl game for the first time. Then, on to the NFL.
"I don’t think it helps or hurts him to come out of the WAC (Western Athletic
Conference)," Ludwig said. "He’s got to produce as a starter. I think his
work ethic, in the weight room and things, complements his God-given ability. His
weight-room work, there is no equal. And he is exceptional at breaking down film."
"If there is anything he needs to work on, or a weakness, it might be
scrambling," Ludwig said. "Sometimes he does have that chance to tuck it and
run, but he wants to stay in the pocket, which could also be a strength — that
he’s not bailing out."
You can bet an NFL franchise in need of being bailed out will turn to the pocket passer
this April.
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