NC State Produced Two of the NFL's Most Successful Quarterbacks Back-to-Back

Between 2000 and 2010, NC State's quarterback room produced two future NFL stars who would combine for 18 Pro Bowl selections—more than any other college program's quarterbacks during that span. Philip Rivers (2000-2003) set records that still stand. He threw for 13,484 career yards and 95 touchdowns—both ACC all-time records at the time. In 2003, he completed 72% of his passes for 4,491 yards and 34 touchdowns, finishing seventh in Heisman voting and winning ACC Player of the Year. The New York Giants drafted him fourth overall in 2004, then immediately traded him to San Diego for Eli Manning in one of the most famous draft-day swaps ever. Russell Wilson (2008-2010) arrived and made his own history. He became the first freshman quarterback ever named first-team All-ACC—unprecedented in conference history. Wilson was so talented that when he left for Wisconsin to play his final college season, he led the Badgers to a Big Ten title and the Rose Bowl while setting the FBS single-season passer rating record. Combined, Rivers and Wilson have made 18 Pro Bowl appearances (10 for Wilson, 8 for Rivers), won a Super Bowl (Wilson with Seattle in 2014), and thrown for over 100,000 NFL passing yards between them. Both wore the same Wolfpack uniform within the same decade.