January 20, 2009

Carta-Samuels: Spartan to Cowboy

Kevin McCarthy
 

Austyn Carta-Samuels had earlier announced that hometown school San Jose State was his next destination, singing the praises of SJSU quarterback coach and co-offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo and the spread and pro offensive styles the Spartans employed this past season. Now, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior announced he has changed his mind and will sign with an out-of-state school.

photo of Austyn Carta-Samuels
The opportunity for immediate playing time played a key role in Carta-Samuel’s switch to Wyoming

But Arroyo departed the Bay Area in mid-December for the dual role of quarterback coach and offensive coordinator for new Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen. Christensen took the position in early December after a number of successful seasons as the offensive coordinator for Missouri. Arroyo’s accomplishments at San Jose State included tutoring now-graduated Adam Tafralis, who holds SJSU records for career passing yards plus total offense and who completed 65.6 percent of his passes in 2006 and 62.8 percent in 2007.

For Carta-Samuels, who passed for 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns and a CCS record one interception this past season, the situation afforded by the Laramie and Mountain West Conference-based Cowboys new offensive style and the chance to work on a daily basis with Arroyo was an irresistable lure. "For me, I needed to go where the opportunity to play early and to do something special was there," Carta-Samuels said. "When Coach Christensen saw me on tape, I was the first quarterback he called and wanted."

Last season under Christensen’s tutelage, Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel, a 2007 Heisman Trophy finalist, threw the ball 528 times for 4,335 yards and 39 touchdowns while also gaining 384 yards on the ground.

But Carta-Samuels stressed his change of mind had nothing to do with anything negative about San Jose State. "Brent Brennan was the coach who recruited me and he’s a great guy, my favorite person of anyone throughout the recruiting process."

It was more that the Spartans have yet to announce a new quarterback coach or detail what will be the foremost offensive style SJSU employs in 2008-2009.

According to Carta-Samuels, "I made the decison on who I will spend every day with for the next four years of practice."

Carta-Samuels has been well-tutored. "From early on, my dad stressed intelligent play." So his passing is predicated on this idea: "I throw so that my receiver is the only one to have the opportunity to catch the ball."

As to why he gravitated to the signal caller position, Carta-Samuels offered, "I’ve always been athletic enough to play at a number of positions but I’ve worked at being a quarterback since I was little."

Regarding his growth from his freshman year to now, he said, "I wouldn’t say my physical abilities have changed that much. It’s more a mental process, a maturity based on time and experience. He attributes his prowess on the field -- the coolness and calmness under pressure and reassurance he offers his teammates -- to “hard work&rduo; plus having “great parents” and “good role models.&rduo;"

The opportunity for immediate playing time seems present as the 2008 Wyoming quarterback depth chart lists four individuals:

Stutzriem finished 55 for 98 in passing with five picks and an equal number of touchdowns in 2008. Sween was 34-70 with six interceptions and no scores. Crum was 53 for 106 in passing with six picks and two touchdowns.

Carta-Samuels is the #22 ranked dual-threat quarterback in the nation according to the latest Rivals.com rankings.