NC State is the school of the quarterback, with more starting quarterbacks in the NFL in the 2019-20 season than any other college. We often look at their accomplishments while at NC State, but what gave them their fame was their success in the NFL. Here is a brief recap of how these Wolfpack quarterbacks became starters and dominated at the NFL level.

Philip Rivers (2004-present)

Phillip Rivers was drafted fourth overall in the 2004 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. He became the starter in 2006 after Drew Brees left to join the Saints. Choosing Rivers over Brees turned out to be a great decision by the Chargers. In the 2006 season, the Chargers went 14-2 and made the playoffs with the best record in the NFL. He also went on to make the playoffs in the next three seasons. 

Rivers has put up some incredible stats leading to his team’s success. Rivers has made it to eight Pro Bowls in his 15 seasons in the NFL. And before the start of the 2019 season, he has also thrown for 374 touchdowns compared to only 178 interceptions. With these stats as well as his winning NFL record, he is on his way to becoming a Hall of Famer in the future.

Russell Wilson (2012-present)

Russell Wilson was drafted 75th overall in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks. He became the starter in a training camp battle over veteran Matt Flynn. Wilson led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in the 2013 season where they easily defeated the Broncos 43-8. 

Wilson has made the Pro Bowl in six of his seven seasons in the NFL with the only exception coming in the 2016 season. Before the start of the 2019 NFL season, Wilson had 196 touchdowns compared to only 63 interceptions. Wilson is another Pack quarterback who could be in the Hall of Fame in the future.

Jacoby Brissett (2016-present)

Jacoby Brissett was drafted 91st overall in the third round of the NFL draft by the New England Patriots. He started off as the third-string quarterback at the beginning of the 2015 season but moved up to the starting role after injuries to starting quarterback Tom Brady and the second-string quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who is now the starter for the San Francisco 49ers. He had two successful starts with one resulting in a victory before he injured his thumb and had to have season-ending thumb surgery.

Because of his success as a starter for the Patriots, the Indianapolis Colts traded Phillip Dorsett, who was one of their top receivers, in exchange for him. Since being traded to the Colts, he has thrown for 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions in his 21 starts. He has also taken over the starting job for Andrew Luck, who had to retire due to injury. Even though he has had few starts in his short career, he has had a great deal of success so far. Brissett looks like he can be the Colts franchise quarterback for years to come.