NFL legend Philip Rivers’ son Gunner lands 64th spot on the class of 2027 top recruits rankings

By Aman Sharma

Modified Aug 17, 2024 11:46 GMT

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Gunner Rivers, the son of former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, has been making waves in high school football, earning the 64th position in the initial rankings for the class of 2027’s top recruits.

The young quarterback, who plays under his father’s coaching at Fairhope St. Michael Catholic in Alabama, has displayed remarkable talent on the field. In this, he is much like his father, who spent 17 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the San Diego Chargers.

During his freshman year, Gunner completed an impressive 229 out of 362 passes, achieving a completion rate of 63.3%. His performance included 3,077 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and only four interceptions.

Philip Rivers, reflecting on his son's debut varsity season, expressed pride in how well Gunner has managed the challenges of playing a tough 4A region schedule.

“It was a really strong first year for him in varsity football,” Philip Rivers said, as per AL.com. “He handled everything that came with it well, from the pressure to the competition. Looking back, it’s clear how much he’s grown and matured over the past year, not just as a player but as a person. It’s exciting to think we have three more years ahead.”

While it has been confirmed that he has received an offer from NC State, Philip’s alma mater, the extent of interest from other schools remains uncertain. Despite his budding success in football, Philip clarified that his son’s name wasn’t intended as a nod to his career.

“Gunner is my mom’s maiden name,” he explained. “My grandfather was Robert Gunner, so the name carries family significance. But if he happens to excel at throwing or shooting, well, it just fits.”

Gunner Rivers reflects on quarterback journey and future ambitions

Gunner Rivers admits that growing up watching his father play for nearly 20 years for the Chargers and Colts made it almost inevitable for him to play quarterback.

“I think it all started from watching my dad in those games,” Gunner reflected, as per AL.com. “When I began playing flag football, I naturally took on the quarterback role. It just felt right.”

Philip Rivers noticed his son’s potential early on.

“Even in flag football, he showed an ability to throw accurately and read the game,” Philip remarked in the same interaction. “Some players have that instinctive understanding of coverage and timing. It’s something you can refine with practice, but he just had it from the start. Now, it’s about helping him grow both physically and mentally, so he can continue to develop.”

Like his father, Gunner aspires to play football at the collegiate level and eventually in the NFL. However, his immediate focus is on the three years he has left playing under his father’s guidance at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Alabama.

Philip, who has been head coach at St. Michael since 2021, is cautious in predicting his son’s future but sees great promise.

“It’s hard to compare his progress to anyone else,” Philip noted. “At his age, I wasn’t playing flag football; I was busy with basketball and backyard games. Gunner’s already thrown far more passes than I had by ninth grade. He has the potential to be exceptional if he keeps working hard every day.”

The duo aims to improve on their 6-5 record from the 2023 season as they continue their journey together on the football field.