Carpenter led Westlake High School to a 14–0 record and the 2003 California Interscholastic Federation Division II championship.

During that time he was the most efficient quarterback in the country and led the Sun Devils to a victory over Rutgers in the Insight Bowl.

The following fall, Sam Keller, whose injury allowed Carpenter to become the starter in 2005, was named the starting quarterback by then-ASU coach Dirk Koetter.

Carpenter entered the season with 31 consecutive starts, the most out of any ASU Quarterback since Jake Plummer.

[2] The loss marked the Sun Devils' first three-game losing streak since Dennis Erickson's tenure as head coach.

Carpenter was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys a day after the 2009 NFL draft.

[citation needed] Carpenter was signed off the Cowboys practice squad by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 23, 2009.

With an injury to Bucs starter Josh Freeman, Carpenter was placed on the active roster for the December 4 game against the Carolina Panthers.

On August 20, 2012, Carpenter tweeted via his Twitter account @rudygcarp12: "Thankful for the opportunity Dallas its been great!," signifying he was being cut again.

He would be competing for the backup role in the organization with two-year starter Travis Lulay having a solid hold as the starting quarterback.