Get ready, college football world, because Philip Rivers is reportedly finalizing a deal to become NC State’s head coach in 2027, and guess what? His oldest son, four-star QB recruit Gunner Rivers, is already committed to play for the Wolfpack. This isn’t just a coaching change, this is a family reunion with massive implications, echoing the Deion and Shedeur Sanders dynamic at Colorado.
The Rivers Take Over the Wolfpack Sideline
Philip Rivers is making a lightning-fast leap from high school coaching to the big leagues, just one year after his last NFL snap with the Colts. This guy is a Wolfpack legend, one of the best quarterbacks in NC State history, so his return to his alma mater as head coach is already massive news. But the real kicker? He won’t just be leading the team, he’ll be coaching his own flesh and blood. Gunner has been playing under his dad’s guidance in high school, and now that partnership is set to continue at the Power Four level. Talk about built-in chemistry from day one, right?
Gunner Rivers: A Four-Star Talent Ready to Shine
So, what kind of talent is Philip getting in his son? Gunner Rivers is a consensus four-star recruit in the 2027 class, a serious prospect. According to 247Sports, he is pinned as the No. 12 quarterback in the entire country for his class, and the No. 6 player coming out of Alabama. This isn’t some legacy pick; the kid is legit.
Standing at 6-4 and 230 pounds, Gunner has been starting at St. Michael Catholic High School since his freshman year, and his resume is stacked. He is one of only six quarterbacks in Alabama high school football history to pass for over 10,000 yards, a list that includes names like Bo Nix and Jamarcus Russell. In 2025 alone, he was an ASWA Super All-State selection and a finalist for 4A Back of the Year, leading his team all the way to the semifinals of the 4A playoffs.
Scouts are already seeing shades of his dad. 247Sports’ Andrew Ivins praised Gunner’s distributing ability, his unique release, and his precision passing. Ivins noted that while Gunner hasn’t been featured much as a runner, he can “extend plays and avoid sacks with his mobility and clock.” Ivins sees him as a “future Power Four starter with plenty of upside given the arm talent, large frame and field command.” You see a throw like the “dime” he dropped to Ken Thomas, or the 5-yard quick slant for a touchdown, and it’s clear this kid has the goods. He committed to NC State back in February 2026, choosing the Wolfpack over interest from powerhouses like Auburn, Georgia, Miami, and South Carolina.
This father-son duo taking the reins at NC State is one of the most exciting storylines hitting college football. Get ready, Wolfpack fans, because the Rivers era is about to kick off, and it looks like it’s going to be a wild ride.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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