NC State Football Coach Visiting Son of Wolfpack Treasure
NC State football quarterbacks coach Kurt Roper headed to Alabama on Friday to check out St. Michael Catholic High School sophomore signal-caller Gunner Rivers and Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers lead the Cardinals (10-1) against the Pleasant Grove Spartans (9-1) in state playoff action.
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Of course, the 6-foot-2, 175-pound Gunner Rivers, a five-star prospect sitting No. 33 overall, No. 4 among quarterbacks, and No. 2 in Alabama on the 247Sports 2027 Composite, is the heralded son of Philip Rivers, one of the all-time most accomplished NC State football products who is now in his fourth season as the Cardinals' head coach.
As a freshman last season, Gunner Rivers threw for over 3,000 yards, but St. Michael Catholic finished with only a 6-5 overall record.
Rivers has thrown for 3,062 yards, 31 touchdowns, and only four interceptions this season, connecting on 204 of his 309 pass attempts. In last week's playoff win, he totaled 260 yards and four scores through the air.
It's still early in the 2027 recruiting cycle. But given Gunner Rivers' strong Wolfpack ties and the in-person pursuit by the staff in Raleigh, there's no doubt NC State football head coach Dave Doeren and his cohorts should be among the favorites to land the coveted talent in a year or two.
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Stay tuned to NC State Wolfpack On SI for more NC State football recruiting news.
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.