Aug. 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET
- A high school football game features the sons of country star Luke Bryan and former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers.
- Gunner Rivers, son of Philip Rivers, is the starting quarterback for St. Michael Catholic High School.
- Gunner Rivers, a four-star prospect, has committed to play college football at NC State, his father’s alma mater.
The 2026 high school football season is back and already delivering.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, the intrigue for the new season grows even more as a matchup between quarterbacks brings celebrity appeal when Battle Ground Academy (TN) takes on St. Michael Catholic (AL) on the road.
The game is set to kick off at 1:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. CT.
The QB matchup between Bo Bryan and Gunner Rivers will have fans double-take due to the surnames, but sons of country music star Luke Bryan and long-time NFL quarterback Philip Rivers, respectively, are also intriguing prospects on their own.
The younger Rivers has led the St. Michael Catholic football program as a starter since he was in the eighth grade. Now in his senior season, he is continuing to prove why he is a strong prospect at the college level.
Here’s what you need to know about Gunner Rivers, including his college commitment:
Is Philip Rivers Gunner Rivers’ father?
Yes, Gunner Rivers is the son of eight-time NFL Pro Bowler Philip Rivers. Gunner is the fourth of 10 children for Philip and Tiffany Rivers and is the eldest boy.
In fact, following his retirement from the NFL, the elder Rivers has been the head coach at St. Michael Catholic, where he coaches his son.
Gunner Rivers high school stats
Entering his senior season, Rivers has made 39 career starts. He has thrown no fewer than 3,000 yards in each of his seasons as a full-time starter. He led the program to a 6-5 record as a freshman, throwing for 3,077 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Rivers showed improvement as a sophomore, leading the Cardinals to a 12-2 record, while throwing for 3,947 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. As a junior, he led St. Michael Catholic to a 13-1 mark in 2025, throwing for 3,176 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Gunner Rivers recruiting ranking
According to 247Sports Composite Rankings, Rivers is a four-star prospect and the No. 139-ranked player in the country in the 2027 recruiting cycle. He is also ranked as the No. 12 QB and the No. 6 overall prospect in Alabama.
247Sports actually ranks Rivers as a borderline five-star, as the No. 43 overall player in the class. The site also has him as the No. 4 overall QB and the top player in Alabama.
Gunner Rivers college commitment
Rivers committed to NC State over notable programs like Auburn, Georgia, Miami and others. The commitment to the Wolfpack is not a complete surprise, as he is following in the steps of his father, who played at NC State from 2000-03 before becoming the No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
What is Gunner Rivers’ name?
While he goes by Gunner, his full name is actually Philip Gunner Rivers. Gunner is named after his former NFL father.