NC State landed a commitment from four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers on Monday, continuing a family legacy that runs deep in Raleigh.
Rivers, the son of former Wolfpack star Philip Rivers, chose NC State over reported offers from Auburn, Boston College, Miami and South Carolina.
The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior at St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama represents the program’s highest-rated commitment in the 2027 recruiting cycle.
ESPN ranks Rivers as the No. 11 pocket passer and No. 142 overall prospect nationally.
He’s the lone top-300 commitment in NC State’s current three-player class for 2027.
BREAKING 4-star QB Gunner Rivers has committed to NC State
Gunner is the son of 8x Pro Bowler Philip Rivers.
Read: https://t.co/GS9zEUbwYL pic.twitter.com/sC6Sxaotgs
— Rivals (@Rivals) February 23, 2026
The commitment brings the Rivers name back to Carter-Finley Stadium, where Philip Rivers established himself as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in college football history.
Philip Rivers threw for 13,848 yards from 2000 to 2003, a mark that still stands as the school and ACC record.
As a senior in 2003, he led the nation with a 72% completion percentage and earned ACC Offensive Player of the Year honors. The program retired his No. 17 jersey and inducted him into the Ring of Honor in 2013.
Rivers went on to become the No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played 17 seasons in the league, primarily with the Chargers, and earned eight Pro Bowl selections.
Gunner Rivers has put up impressive numbers at the high school level.
He threw for 2,813 yards with 44 touchdowns and just five interceptions as a junior this past season. Over three seasons, he’s totaled 10,200 passing yards and 111 touchdowns.
The commitment gives NC State’s 2027 class its quarterback of the future while adding a player with deep ties to the program’s history.
