SAN DIEGO -- Much like the football exiting Philip Rivers' right hand, Norm Chow didn't hesitate. "He's going to be phenomenal, phenomenal, phenomenal in the NFL," said Chow, USC's offensive coordinator.

Chow was a North Carolina State assistant for Rivers' freshman year. That was the only season Chow schooled Rivers, but the quarterback left a lasting impression on the noted offensive guru of the co-national champion Trojans.

Are the Chargers equally in awe? It appears so, after coach Marty Schottenheimer worked with Rivers at the Senior Bowl, an all-star game in which Rivers was named the MVP.

"Rivers has a demeanor, a presence about him," Schottenheimer said.

The Chargers loom large in the draft on April 24, holding the No. 1 pick.

If the Chargers stay put, most speculate Mississippi's Eli Manning is the San Diego-bound quarterback. But if the Chargers trade down -- the Giants have inquired -- they could land Miami of Ohio's Ben Roethlisberger or Rivers.

"I tell you what," Chow said, "if they draft Philip, in three years they will be playing in the Super Bowl. He's a cut above; I can't put it any other way."

Rivers received word Wednesday that he has been invited to Madison Square Garden for the draft. And he wouldn't be disappointed if he wound up with the Chargers.

"I enjoyed that time with them at the Senior Bowl," Rivers said. "From Day One, we were clicking as far as practices were going. That's always important for a coach and a quarterback on any level, but I hear that's even more so in the NFL."

The 6-foot-5, 229-pound Rivers started 51 games for the Wolfpack, passing for 13,009 yards and 90 touchdowns. His senior year, he threw for 4,491 yards and 34 touchdowns.

Chow, who coached USC quarterback Carson Palmer -- last year's top NFL pick -- to the 2002 Heisman Trophy, said the Chargers would be foolish to pass on Rivers.

"Just give that kid the chance," Chow said. "His completion rate last year was 73 percent. Our goal at USC is 62 percent.

"It's because he does so well with his check downs and knowing when to get rid of the football. And as good as the coverages are -- they've filtered down to college football from the pros -- he has the ability to go through his reads and make the pass. He's special."

The same could be said for Rivers' delivery -- but that's not necessarily a compliment. While Manning has the classic, over-the-top motion, Rivers lets it fly more like shortstop after fielding a slow grounder.

"Everyone talks about his delivery, but we have no reservations regarding his throwing motion," Schottenheimer said. "He has the ability to make all the throws."

Said Rivers: "Can I throw like (John) Elway? No. Can Tom Brady? No, but he won two Super Bowls."

Chow never tinkered with Rivers' sidearm sling.

"I didn't even touch it," he said.

What Chow rearranged was North Carolina State's depth chart after initially eyeing Rivers.

"What happened was we got together for the first day of spring practice, and Philip was just out of high school, and behind the returning starter," Chow said. "But after that first day, I said, to (head coach) Chuck Amato, 'Why wait any longer?'

"So from the second day of his freshman year of spring practice he was the starter. You could just see that he had it. I don't quite know what 'it' is, but he had it."

What Rivers, the son of a football coach, also possesses, Chow said, is an A-1 attitude.

"That's just as good, if not better, than his football," Chow said. "He is a tremendous young man."

Chargers general manager A. J. Smith again declined to talk with the media on Thursday. A club official said no teams -- other than the Giants -- have contacted the Chargers regarding the top overall pick.

The club spokesman also said Smith hasn't called agents for the potential No. 1 selections to begin preliminary contract discussions. Leigh Steinberg, who represents Roethlisberger, confirmed he has yet to hear from the Chargers.

Contact staff writer Jay Paris paris@nctimes.net.