NC State’s head coach Dave Doeren and his coaching staff are making significant strides in the 2027 recruiting landscape, focusing on some of the country’s most promising prospects. Among their top targets is Gunner Rivers, a four-star quarterback and a notable legacy player, whose recent recruitment has captured attention across the nation.
Rivers, hailing from St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, has emerged as a standout in the 2027 class. He earned NC State’s attention after receiving an offer in May 2024 and has been in the sights of the coaching staff ever since. His connection to NC State is particularly special, as he is the son of renowned former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers, who holds the title of the school’s all-time leading passer after a remarkable 18-year NFL career.
In his junior season, Rivers showcased his impressive skills by racking up 3,176 passing yards, along with 46 touchdowns and only five interceptions, solidifying his status as one of the top quarterbacks in his class. The mutual interest between Rivers and NC State has grown, with recent predictions from analysts suggesting that the Wolfpack are the frontrunners to secure his commitment.
Michael Clark, an insider for 247Sports, recently logged a Crystal Ball prediction for NC State to land Rivers, marking a promising trend for the Wolfpack. Clark, who boasts over an 87% accuracy rate on his predictions, reinforced the notion that NC State has made significant progress in their recruitment efforts besides being the second analyst to back this outcome, following Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong’s similar prediction earlier this month.
If the expectations from Clark and Wiltfong materialize, Rivers would bolster NC State’s 2027 recruiting class immensely. The 6’3″, 205-pound quarterback is currently ranked as the No. 90 overall player in the nation, as well as the No. 7 quarterback and the No. 2 prospect from Alabama, according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Though NC State appears to be in a strong position, they will still contend with competition from schools like Auburn, Boston College, Miami, and South Carolina. Nonetheless, Rivers’ familial ties to NC State provide the Wolfpack with a vital edge as they continue to solidify their recruitment strategy in the coming months.
As the Wolfpack look to finalize one of the most promising quarterback prospects in the 2027 class, excitement continues to build for both the coaching staff and fans. Keep an eye on NC State football for further updates and breaking news.