NC State secured a dedication on Monday from quarterback Gunner Rivers, the son of program legend and longtime NFL standout Philip Rivers, in line with 247Sports. The four-star recruit and No. 42 general prospect within the 2027 class is without doubt one of the 20 highest-rated commits in Wolfpack historical past.
Rivers, a junior at Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael, has been tied intently to NC State since final season. He accomplished a go to in the course of the last week of the common season when the Wolfpack thumped rival North Carolina in a 42-19 blowout and progressed via his recruitment within the months since, resulting in his dedication practically a 12 months prematurely of the 2027 class’ Nationwide Signing Day.
Whereas Rivers additionally held provides from Auburn, Boston School, Miami and South Carolina, his familial hyperlink to NC State made the Wolfpack tough to beat. Dave Doeren provided him a scholarship in Might 2024, getting a head begin on his recruitment after a powerful freshman 12 months of highschool.
Rivers performs for his father, who’s the coach at St. Michael. He earned the beginning job as a freshman and elevated his manufacturing over the following seasons, resulting in a 2025 marketing campaign through which he accomplished 237 of 343 passes for 3,176 yards and 46 touchdowns with 5 interceptions. He additionally ran 33 occasions for 196 yards and a landing. Rivers has but to move for fewer than 3,000 yards in a season.
The terrific junior season led Rivers to safe an ASWA Tremendous All-State choice, and he was a finalist for the 4A Again of the 12 months award. He guided St. Michael to a 13-1 file and a semifinal berth within the state 4A playoffs for the second consecutive season.
247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins evaluated Rivers final week and described him as a “expert passer with elite pedigree that has an opportunity to be a high-end distributor in faculty and past.” Like his father, Rivers is described as having a “shot put-like launch” and places prolific contact on his passes. He’s the No. 6-ranked quarterback in his class and has an opportunity to contend for five-star standing throughout his senior 12 months of highschool.
Rivers won’t swimsuit up for NC State till the 2027 season however might be in line to contend for the beginning job as a real freshman. Incumbent starter CJ Bailey has two extra years of eligibility however might be a candidate to depart early for the NFL Draft, doubtlessly opening the door for Rivers to contribute right away.
