Four-star quarterback Gunner Rivers has committed to NC State, following in the footsteps of his father Philip Rivers, the Wolfpack legend and eight-time NFL Pro Bowler. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound junior from St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama chose NC State over offers from Auburn, Boston College, Miami, and South Carolina.

Gunner Rivers, ESPN's No. 11-ranked pocket passer in the 2027 class, threw for 2,813 yards and 44 touchdowns with just five interceptions during his junior season. His commitment marks a homecoming of sorts, as Philip Rivers starred at NC State from 2000 to 2003, setting school records with 13,848 career passing yards and a 72% completion rate that led all FBS quarterbacks.

This recruitment adds significant star power to Dave Doeren's program, which has struggled to land top-300 prospects in recent cycles. Gunner Rivers becomes the lone top-300 pledge in NC State's 2027 class and the program's first SC Next 300 addition since 2024. The younger Rivers will attempt to carve out his own legacy at a program where his father remains one of the most celebrated athletes in school history.