College: NC State
NFL Draft: No. 4
A four-year starter with the Wolfpack, Rivers broke multiple school records during his first year on campus and earned ACC Freshman of the Year honors. Productive sophomore and junior campaigns set the Alabama native up for a monster senior campaign in 2003. That season, Rivers threw for 4,491 yards and 34 touchdowns in 12 games en route to ACC Player and Athlete of the Year honors. He still holds Wolfpack records for career passing yards (13,484) and passing touchdowns (95).
The Chargers took Rivers at No. 4 in the 2004 NFL Draft but sat him behind future Hall of Famer Drew Brees, who won Comeback Player of the Year Award during Rivers’ rookie season. The NC State product became a full-time starter in 2006 and enjoyed a prolific career highlighted by eight Pro Bowl nods.