Gunner Rivers, 4-Star QB and Philip Rivers' Son, Commits to NC State

Gunner Rivers committed to NC State on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, choosing the Wolfpack over a group of high-major suitors and following his father Philip Rivers back to NC State’s program. The 2027 recruit is a four-star quarterback out of St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Alabama, and the high school announced the decision on its official X account with the post: “Congrats to our QB on his commitment to NC State @PackFootball @StateCoachD @CoachKurtRoper @CoachAlexFaulk #NuncCoepi.”

Recruiting services peg Rivers among the top prospects nationally. 247Sports lists him as a four-star and the No. 42 overall prospect in the 2027 class and ranks him as the No. 6 quarterback in that internal system, while the 247Sports Composite cited by the New York Times places him at No. 125 overall and No. 10 among quarterbacks. WRAL lists Rivers at 6-foot-3.5 and 205 pounds, and 247Sports calls him one of the 20 highest-rated commits in Wolfpack history.

Rivers’ on-field production gives context to those rankings. As a junior in 2025 he completed 208 of 290 passes for 2,813 yards with 44 touchdowns and five interceptions, leading St. Michael to a 13-1 record and an appearance in the state title game with his father, Philip, as head coach. Across his high school career Rivers totaled 10,200 passing yards and 111 passing touchdowns, figures repeated across national outlets.

The recruiting chase included offers reported from multiple programs. On3 listed Auburn, Georgia, Miami and Boston College among Rivers’ offers, while 247Sports and WRAL also cited interest from Auburn, Boston College, Miami and South Carolina. NC State’s recruitment accelerated after head coach Dave Doeren offered Rivers a scholarship in May 2024 and Rivers completed a campus visit during NC State’s 42-19 win over North Carolina in the final week of the regular season.

Scouts praise Rivers’ mechanics and touch. 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins called him a “skilled passer with elite pedigree that has a chance to be a high-end distributor in college and beyond,” adding that Rivers has a “shot put-like release” and “puts prolific touch on his passes.” WRAL reports that offensive coordinator Kurt Roper was the NC State staffer who recruited Rivers directly.

The timeline and roster picture create immediate intrigue for the Wolfpack. Rivers will enroll and be eligible for the 2027 season and 247Sports notes he could contend for a starting job as a true freshman. Incumbent CJ Bailey has two more years of eligibility, but 247Sports also flags the possibility Bailey could leave early for the NFL Draft, a development that would accelerate Rivers’ opportunities.

The family connection amplifies the narrative. Philip Rivers played at NC State from 2000 to 2003, started an NCAA-record 51 consecutive games, threw for 13,484 yards and 95 touchdowns, and was the No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft; his NFL career totaled nearly 64,000 passing yards and 425 touchdowns. Philip coached Gunner at St. Michael, briefly returned to the NFL for a three-week stint with the Indianapolis Colts, and recently withdrew from a Buffalo Bills head coaching interview, framing Gunner’s commitment as both a recruiting victory and a continuation of a high-profile NC State lineage.

Gunner Rivers’ pledge represents a high-ceiling addition to NC State’s recruiting class and sets up a quarterback competition tied to both roster movement and the legacy of one of the program’s all-time greats.