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Eli Lederman
Multiple Authors
Four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers, the son of NC State icon and eight-time NFL Pro Bowler Philip Rivers, has announced his commitment to the Wolfpack via social media on Monday.
Rivers is ranked as ESPN’s No. 11 pocket passer and holds the No. 142 spot overall in the 2027 recruiting cycle. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 200 pounds, he is a junior at Alabama’s St. Michael Catholic High School and chose his father’s alma mater over reported offers from Auburn, Boston College, Miami, and South Carolina.
Before his 17 seasons in the NFL, the elder Rivers was a four-year starter at NC State from 2000 to 2003, establishing himself as one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in both school and ACC history. He led all FBS quarterbacks in completion percentage (72%) and earned the title of ACC Offensive Player of the Year in his senior season in 2003.
Rivers’ career passing yards total of 13,848 stands as the highest among NC State and ACC quarterbacks and 13th on the NCAA’s all-time passing list.
Chosen as the No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL draft, Rivers spent the bulk of his career with the Chargers from 2004 to 2019. He played his final complete season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020 and returned to start three games for the team in 2025.
The younger Rivers is now poised to emulate his father, having thrown for 2,813 yards and 44 touchdowns against just five interceptions during his junior season at St. Michael Catholic last fall.
With his commitment to the Wolfpack, Rivers is currently the only top-300 recruit among three members of the program’s 2027 recruiting class. If he ultimately signs later this year, he will become NC State’s first SC Next 300 recruit since the Wolfpack secured Jonathan Paylor and Jimmar Boston in the 2024 class.
