March is here and basketball season has hit its pinnacle for Wolfpack men’s and women’s basketball. As its hunt for NCAA tournament glory continues, it has pulled some attention away from a huge football commitment.
Gunner Rivers, the first son of legendary NC State and NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, is set to follow in his fathers footsteps as the Class of 2027 athlete verbally committed to NC State on Feb. 23, 2026.
Philip Rivers spent all four years at NC State as the starting quarterback from 2000 to 2003. He won ACC offensive player of the year in 2003, and led all FBS passers during that season with a staggering 72% completion rate.
Gunner Rivers is a 6-foot-3, 200-pound quarterback with elite pocket presence and a unique throwing motion; reminiscent of his fathers. During his three seasons with Alabama’s St. Michael Catholic High School, Rivers built up quite a resume. He threw for 44 touchdowns and five interceptions during his junior year, totaling 2,813 yards. This earned him the title of ESPN’s 11th-best “pocket passer” in the nation, and out of all recruits, he is ranked No. 142 in the 2027 class.
Gunner Rivers is widely known as the best quarterback in the state of Alabama after his junior season, and he looks to further impress this coming fall for his senior slate. Gunner Rivers led St. Michael to a 13-1 record, and its second straight 4A semi-final appearance, earning finalist for Alabama Sports Writers Association’s 4A Back of the Year.
Gunner Rivers had numerous other offers besides NC State, but chose to run with his fathers alma mater over SEC offers from Auburn and South Carolina. The bloodlines that run deep within the Pack is what sparked Gunner Rivers’ interests, and the team has been in close ties with the Rivers’ family ever since Philip Rivers was drafted in 2004, going on multiple home visits in pursuit of Gunner Rivers.
With the help of early recruiting from head coach Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack were able to get Gunner Rivers over ACC competition, Miami and Boston College. Doeren first extended an offer to Gunner Rivers when he was a sophomore, in May of 2024. The early interest in Gunner Rivers from the get-go likely played a part in bringing him in.
Gunner Rivers’ good friend and team captain of last year’s St. Michael Catholic High School football team, Noah Moss, committed to NC State for the 2026 season. Moss was Philip Rivers’ running back for St. Michael during the 2025 season, and after his high school career was said and done, he led the state of Alabama in rushing yards and touchdowns scored. Having an old friend in Raleigh will help make Carter-Finley feel more of a home for Gunner Rivers, making him as comfortable as possible.
Gunner Rivers is set to join a long line of elite NC State quarterbacks that have suited up in the red-and-white. His father, along with Russell Wilson, Jacoby Brissett and even the current quarterback, CJ Bailey, have all made their mark in Carter-Finley, and together have made a strong statement about NC State’s quarterback development ability.
Gunner Rivers will suit up for his senior season this fall, and is set to join the Wolfpack in 2027 as a true-freshman quarterback. Every time Gunner Rivers steps on Carter-Finley, he will be chasing the legacy of not only his dad, but the legendary quarterbacks that have come through NC State.
