Texas eyes another QB with a famous pedigree – Longhorns in pursuit of 2027 legacy signal-caller
Texas has the near future at quarterback more than settled with Arch Manning and Dia Bell. Who could be next?
The Texas Longhorns have struck gold twice on the recruiting trail at the quarterback position. Arch Manning is set to take over under center in 2025 and Steve Sarkisian and his staff have landed five-star Dia Bell for the future.
It's no secret both Manning and Bell are part of famous families. But, there's another prospect on the board who is from a similar background.
St. Michael Catholic (Ala.) four-star Gunner Rivers, the son of eight-time Pro Bowl selection and former 4th overall pick Philip Rivers, is potentially next in line in Austin.
Rivers is fresh off a 12-2 season where he led SMC to the Alabama 4A semifinals. As a sophomore, he threw for 3,947 yards and 36 touchdowns. This was no fluke either as he tossed for 3,077 yards and 29 touchdowns as a freshman.
The legacy recruit recently visited Texas in June. To no one's surprise, the trip was first class and the Rivers family enjoyed themselves.
"It's all at the highest level," Rivers told Hank South from Horns247. "There's a lot of similarities. It's just high-level ball."
Steve Sarkisian's approach to recruiting and the staff he has at Texas has helped Texas separate itself.
"Mainly the coaches," Rivers said. "Coach Sark's done a really good job here. Coach (AJ) Milwee, I enjoyed my time with him, too.
"I talked to Coach Sark after the camp, he told me I did pretty well, enjoyed it."
The 6-foot-4, 205 pound prospect has yet to be offered by the Longhorns staff, but holds notable offers from Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Missouri, NC State, and South Carolina. The younger Rivers is thinking an offer could be around the corner, though.
"They're interested," Rivers said. "I'll say that."
247Sports' director of scouting Andrew Ivins has seen Gunner Rivers a good bit on film and in a 7v7 setting. He is a big fan of what he's seen thus far, too.
Modern pocket passer with elite pedigree that wins with touch, timing and sound decision-making. Owns more of a unique shot put-like release, but makes it work, much like dad did many moons ago. Enters junior year of high school with 25 career varsity starts under his belt and a Top247-best 7,024 passing yards to his credit. Has faced a lower level of competition in the Yellowhammer State, but has proven to be a skillful passer that can feather the football to all three levels while operating out of a single-back spread attack. Will certainly dial up the velocity and hit his marks on in and out-breaking routes, but looks to be far more than just a one-speed pitcher as he uses trajectory and anticipation to his advantage. Might not ever offer a ton of value as a runner, but is quick to recognize pressure and can get out of his fair share of sacks. Feet will get happy at times, which can lead to some off-platform and back-foot tosses, but risk mitigation often remains a top priority. Appears to process at a higher level than most his age, which isn’t surprising given the exposure to the game. A sheltered recruitment has made it difficult to gather the usual data points, but is believed to be over 6-foot-3 and looks like the type of signal caller that could eventually carry 215 pounds. Projects at this stage as a high-end distributor with a rare set of intangibles that has a chance to be a difference-maker at the game’s highest level. – Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
The next famous QB legacy could potentially do something huge before he steps foot in a college classroom.
With two full high school seasons remaining, Rivers has a legitimate shot at several AHSAA records, including career passing yards (11,024), set by former Piedmont quarterback Jack Hayes.
The elder Rivers spoke with Ben Thomas of AL.com recently about his son's preparation for his junior season. The work has been put in and he is excited to see his son continue to grow.
“He’s had a good offseason,” Rivers said of his son. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger. He’s up to about 210 and a shade under 6-4. He’s really worked at it. He’s had a great offseason with our team, and we’ve had some fun. It’s all sped up now, but he still has two years left.”
Despite all the hype and buzz, like Arch Manning, the Rivers' family has kept it under wraps for the most part. With that said, a college commitment isn't expected to come any time soon.
“He has taken it all in stride,” the elder Rivers said. “I’ve been thankful for how he’s handled it all. He is so steady and even keeled so it’s been good. He could walk in tomorrow and tell me something different, but I would think we get through this season and maybe early next year or next spring he will decide something.
“We’ve been on campus at some places, but really we are just now starting to build some relationships, and I think that’s important. It’s about the people you are going to be around for the next four years and how they can develop you along with the school and where you will be living. We are taking our time. He is taking his time and really being present here. That is what is most important to him.”
When asked about his approach to the 2025 season, like his father, Gunner Rivers was calculated.
“We just have to keep working,” Rivers said. “We can’t look at the past. We have to start all the way over and go through every game. You can’t just say, ‘Oh yeah, we have to beat Jackson.’ We have to win every single game.”
