The top-ranked player in Alabama and the nation’s No. 6 quarterback in the 2027 class, Gunner Rivers, is taking the phrase “like father like son” literally. The St. Michael junior will follow in the footsteps of his father, retired NFL gunslinger Philip Rivers — the winningest starting quarterback in NC State history — with his Monday evening announcement he has committed to play college for the Wolfpack.

Rivers is coming off a record-setting season at St. Michael Catholic where he — and head coach Philip Rivers — led the Cardinals to an undefeated regular season for the first time in school history. He threw for 3,176 yards with 46 touchdowns and just five interceptions, earning First-Team All-State honors. He is also ranked among the top-50 prospects in the nation, coming in at No. 42 on the 247sports site. 

For his high school career, Rivers has already amassed 10,200 passing yards and 111 touchdown passes. He needs 825 yards to become the all-time leading passer in AHSAA history and is 47 touchdown passes shy of the career record.

His commitment brings the story full circle because of his father, of course, but also because his teammate Noah Moss signed to NC State in December. The senior Cardinal running back will be on the Wolfpack roster this coming fall and now may have his high school quarterback joining him in the backfield a year later. 

Also on the current NC State roster is 2023 Gulf Shores football state champion Ronnie Royal III. The former Dolphins star had a productive redshirt freshman season for the Wolfpack as a rotational defensive back and special teams player.  

As for Philip, there is a long standing legacy there. The current St. Michael head coach starred at NC State from 2000-03, setting program records that still stand as he remains the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (13,484), passing touchdowns (95) and single-season passing yards (4,491). His single-season touchdown mark of 34 stood for 18 years before Devin Leary broke it in 2021.

Philip Rivers went 34-17 as the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback, the most wins by a starting QB in program history. He posted a 3-1 bowl record and guided the 2002 team to an 11-3 finish, ending it with a No. 12 ranking in the AP Top 25 to cap one of the best seasons in school history.

So, Gunner will be attempting to fill some big shoes — but if he learned anything from his Hall of Fame semifinalist father, then it seems the Wolfpack has scored again with a quarterback named Rivers.