Next fall, Philip Rivers will be on the sideline for NC State. But he won’t be the only one in his family to join the Wolfpack in 2027.

Rivers, who is reportedly finalizing a deal to become NC State’s head coach, is making the leap from high school to college at a rapid pace — also just one year removed from his last NFL quarterbacking stint with the Colts. Not only is Rivers one of the best quarterbacks in Wolfpack history; his son was already set to follow in his father’s shoes.

Gunner Rivers has been coached by his father in high school, and he’s already been committed to NC State, where Philip is set to become his head coach. Like Deion Sanders did with Shedeur Sanders at Colorado, the Rivers could have a father and son as a coach-quarterback duo in the ACC.

Here’s what to know about Gunner Rivers and his high school career playing under his father.

MORE: Why NC State is hiring Philip Rivers

Gunner Rivers recruiting

Gunner Rivers, who is Philip’s oldest son and the fourth of 10 kids, is a consensus four-star recruit in the 2027 class, per 247Sports. The site’s consensus rankings has Rivers pinned as the No. 12 quarterback in the country within the class and the No. 6 player coming out of Alabama.

The young quarterback, who has also played basketball, has started at St. Michael Catholic High School since his freshman year, standing at 6-4 and 230 pounds. 

In his high school career, Gunner Rivers became one of six quarterbacks in Alabama high school football history to pass for over 10,000 yards, joining Bo Nix, Jamarcus Russell, KJ Lacey, Trent Seaborn, Jack Hayes, per 247Sports. In 2025, he was ASWA Super All-State selection and a finalist for 4A Back of the Year, leading his team to the semifinals of the 4A playoffs.

Rivers has been praised for his distributing ability, his unique release and precision passing — just like Philip, who 247Sports scout Andrew Ivins compared him to.

“Not one that has been featured much as a runner to date, but can extend plays and avoid sacks with his mobility and clock,” Ivins wrote of Gunner Rivers. “A sheltered recruitment has made it difficult to gather the usual data points, but projects at this stage as a future Power Four starter with plenty of upside given the arm talent, large frame and field command.”

Watching Rivers’ throwing motion will certainly bring back some memories of his father.

Rivers committed to NC State, Philip’s alma mater, in February 2026 after interest from Auburn, Georgia, Miami, South Carolina and more. 

MORE: Inside Philip Rivers’ high school record

Gunner Rivers high school stats

Stats via MaxPreps.

Season Year Games Completions-Attempts Completion % Passing Yards Passing TD INT Rushing Yards Rushing TDs
2026-27 Senior 3 31-47 66.0% 422 6 1 7 0
2025-26 Junior  14 237-343 69.1% 3,176 46 5 196 1
2024-25 Sophomore 14 267-424 63.0% 3,947 36 6 30 2
2023-24 Freshman 11 229-362 63.3% 3,077 29 4 59 2
Career: — 41 764-1,176   10,622 117 16 292 5

Rivers will be bringing plenty of starting experience to NC State after four years’ worth of QB1 reps in high school. He was a star for St. Michael Catholic from the start, throwing for 29 touchdowns as a freshman, then 36 as a sophomore.

In 2025, Rivers finished second in Alabama with his 46 touchdown passes. His 2026 season has only resulted in a few games due to a knee injury, but Rivers has already proven himself as a Power 4 talent.

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