Slippery Rock's Roland Rivers ready for his close-up at NFL Draft

Roland Rivers III saw no reason to ease into his pro day last month.

The former Slippery Rock quarterback’s first throw in front of representatives from 21 NFL teams was a deep post — 65 to 70 yards — off a play-action.

The pass connected, and it set the tone for a workout in which Rivers confirmed he possesses the physical attributes to back up the dazzling statistics he put up this past season.

“I wanted to show what I believe is the strongest arm and best deep ball in this draft class,” said Rivers, who led NCAA Division II with 52 passing touchdowns and 4,460 yards last fall en route to winning the Harlon Hill Trophy as D-II’s top player.

It’s unclear if Rivers will hear his name called in the later rounds of the NFL Draft on April 23-25 or if he instead will sign afterwards as an undrafted free agent. But it is clear he has NFL qualities.

“He’s big and strong,” Slippery Rock coach Shawn Lutz said of the 6-foot-2, 234-pound Rivers. “He has a quick release. He has velocity. … He’s a great leader.”

It could benefit Rivers that he participated in a pro day, considering so many have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Rivers’ agent helped him get a spot alongside Villanova players March 6 in Philadelphia.

“With everything going on, it’s hard to predict,” said Rivers, who has met with the Lions, Eagles and Browns. “I believe I’m one of the top quarterback talents in this draft class. My ability to make every throw on the field. My leadership.

“I think there are a lot of talented guys. I think another thing is being able to capture a city as a quarterback and lead a city, an organization and be a franchise guy. I believe I have those qualities.”

The Athletic ranks Rivers as the 27th-best quarterback in the class. But don’t expect him to panic if his name doesn’t get called. After all, he learned all about patience during college.

Rivers, an Ellenwood, Ga., native, began his career at D-II Valdosta State (Ga.). After redshirting as a freshman, he played part-time the next two seasons before tearing the labrum in his right (throwing) shoulder in November 2016. The injury forced him to miss all of 2017.

He transferred to Slippery Rock on the third day of training camp in summer 2018 and opened the season as the third-stringer. However, injuries to the two players ahead of him thrust Rivers into the starting lineup by the third game. He went on to a record-setting two-year career for The Rock, going 23-3 as a starter.

“I don’t believe it’s where you go, but what you do when you get there, and my time playing Division II has definitely prepared me to play at the highest level,” said Rivers, who set a D-II single-season record by accounting for 61 total touchdowns. “I played for a lot of great coaches who prepared me mentally.

“I’m looking forward to once I get my foot in the door, making sure I do everything I can to get coached up, learning the offense. The first thing I want after I get the call or get on a team is to get the playbook.

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Rivers has been busy since the season ended. He traveled to Little Rock, Ark., for the Harlon Hill Trophy presentation Jan. 9, then participated in the Hula Bowl All-Star game Jan. 26 in Hawaii, where he played for former Falcons coach Mike Smith.

On March 6, Rivers received the Maxwell Football Club’s Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year in Atlantic City, N.J.

Amidst all that, Rivers has been training hard: “I’m just trying to stay ready so I don’t have to get ready,” he said.

He spent time in San Diego working with ex-NFL assistant Mike Sheppard, a QB guru. Rivers also trained at 3DQB in Huntington Beach, Calif., alongside pros such as the Steelers’ Mason Rudolph, the Falcons’ Matt Ryan and the Rams’ Jared Goff.

“Just being able to watch those guys work and getting the feeling that I’m up next, and I definitely belong … it was motivating,” Rivers said. “It was my first time being in an environment like that. I enjoyed it.”

Rivers now is home in Atlanta, where he has been working out with a pair of NFL players who are former college teammates: Chiefs tight end Jody Fortson (Valdosta State) and Lions running back Wes Hills (Slippery Rock).

“I’m looking forward to playing the game at the highest level,” Rivers said. “I believe I’ll get that opportunity to be an NFL quarterback, and at that point, it’s what I do with it. I’m a guy who doesn’t take the game for granted considering everything I’ve gone through.

“When my number is called, I’ll be ready. I love the game of football, and I believe it’ll be hard for a team not to keep me around.”