Gunner Rivers has the name recognition — he's the son of former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers. He has the recruiting appeal — as a four-star QB committed to NC State, he's among the top in the class.
All he needs now is to cap his senior season with a title. St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, Ala.) has gone a combined 25-3 over the last two seasons with him at the helm of the offense, but has fallen in the semifinals both years. If this final exhibition game before the start of the 2026 season is any indication, the Cardinals are ready to roll.
Rivers was perfect across his time playing in the first half, completing all nine of his passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, per local reporter Randy Kennedy. He helped St. Michael take a 23-0 lead over Alma Bryant entering halftime.
Take a look at Rivers' touchdown passes, posted to social media platform X by Larry Rudolph.
WHAT A BALL from Gunner Rivers!
— Larry Rudolph (@ScoutFball) August 15, 2026
The NC State QB commit drops an absolute dime on the post for the touchdown. Perfect touch, placement and timing — put it right where his receiver could go get it. 🔥🏈
That’s a big-time QB throw. pic.twitter.com/GlIUOVF1An
Early case for Mr. Football? 👀🔥
— Larry Rudolph (@ScoutFball) August 15, 2026
NC State QB commit Gunner Rivers find 2028 WR Braedyn Walton for six.
Walton is a 2028 prospect to watch. (@BraedynWalton) pic.twitter.com/Bk6ClrstfJ
Exhibitions aren't particularly meaningful, but last year's scrimmage was a sign of things to come, as he went 8-for-12 with 154 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. This set the tone for an extremely impactful season, throwing for 3,176 yards at a 69.1% clip with 46 touchdowns to just five interceptions and making the Montgomery Advertiser's 4A First Team All-State.
Rivers has started since his freshman year, accumulating over 10,000 passing yards and 113 touchdowns over his three years (plus two games as an eighth-grader). With that, he's less than 1,000 yards away from breaking the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) career passing yards record of 11,024 by Jack Hayes, according to Fox10TV.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound quarterback put on size over the last year — an extra half inch and 25 pounds since his previous measurement on 247Sports. That size has aligned with an increased ranking on the recruiting outlet, which now places him at the No. 4 quarterback spot in the class of 2027. On the 247Sports Composite, he's ranked the No. 12 QB.
St. Michael graduated a number of weapons on both sides of the ball, including 2,000-yard RB Noah Moss, top receiver Brody Jones, and linebacker Nick Russo, but with Rivers at the helm, the offense should continue to thrive.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NC State commit Gunner Rivers flashes elite form in dominant preseason performance