Gunner Rivers made a name for himself in a family that is used to NFL success by becoming one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the 2027 recruiting class—the oldest son of eight-time Pro Bowler Philip Rivers. Gunner is not just carrying on a family legacy—he’s forging his path to football stardom.
Gunner Rivers: Rising Star with NFL Bloodlines
Rivers is a high school quarterback at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he plays under his father, Philip Rivers, an eight-time NFL Pro Bowler and present head coach of his team. Gunner has already made a name for himself, similar to his father, and is excelling not only on the tiles in terms of numbers but also as a leader on the pitch.
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He also shined during the 2024 season, passing for 3,947 yards and 36 touchdowns to just six interceptions, following a strong freshman season with 3,077 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. This steady development confirms his ability to play within and grow an offense, something that’s always a big selling point with any top quarterback prospect.
Recruiters have taken notice. Gunner is the No. 57 overall prospect, No. 7 quarterback, and the No. 1 player in Alabama in the class of 2027, according to the On3 Industry Ranking. He already has scholarship offers from major programs, including Auburn, N.C. State (his father’s alma mater), South Carolina, Miami, and Boston College.
The Recruitment Surge for Gunner Rivers
The hype for Rivers is growing as he hits the elite camps and tours the top college programs. Most recently, he was at the elite camp of the Texas Longhorns, competing with four other four-star recruits, and has continued to raise his national stock. He’s a rising prospect whose recruitment should escalate with SEC and ACC programs vying for his pledge.
Gunner’s football IQ, poise in the pocket, and strong arm have drawn comparisons to his father, but he is also carving out his identity. In addition to his passing stats, he has shown versatility with four career rushing touchdowns and even a receiving touchdown. His leadership helped guide St. Michael Catholic to a 12-2 record and a Class 4A State Semifinal appearance in his sophomore year.
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Gunner is 6’2″ and weighs 175 pounds, so he has the size that college coaches are drooling over, and he’s only two years into high school football, so he has plenty of time left to fine-tune his game. As he continues to grow, he will be closely monitored in his recruiting and should be one of the country’s most desired quarterbacks.
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