Ex-SRU QB Rivers signs with Pittsburgh Maulers
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — He hasn’t been on a football team since 2019.
But former Slippery Rock University quarterback Roland Rivers III has not been away from football.
“Even though I haven’t played in a game since the Hula Bowl in 2020, I’m a much better football player now than I was when I was at Slippery Rock,” Rivers said.
Finally, he will have a chance to prove it. Rivers signed with the USFL’s Pittsburgh Maulers this past week and began practicing with the team Wednesday. He is one of two quarterbacks on the roster, joining former Georgia Tech and James Madison signal-caller Vad Lee.
The Maulers (1-5) have four games remaining in the regular season, including a 2 p.m. game Sunday against the unbeaten Birmingham Stallions on FOX. Rivers expects to see action in that game.
“I’m treating these (four games) as an opportunity,” Rivers said. “I’ve never stopped working out, never stopped studying the game. I know football much more now than when I played at SRU. I’ve learned from a lot of people.”
The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Rivers, the 2019 Harlon Hill Trophy winner as the best player in Division II college football, recently spent time training under former NFL quarterbacks Kurt Warner and Donovan McNabb in Arizona.
He owns SRU career records of 80 touchdown passes and 7,181 career passing yards in just two seasons as a starter. Rivers also rushed for 1,297 yards and 16 touchdowns for The Rock.
He was invited to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ mini-camp as a non-drafted free agent a year ago, but was not signed by the team.
“It’s exciting. It’s crazy,” SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said of Rivers joining the Maulers. “I’m thrilled for him. Roland is an example of why people should never give up on their dreams. He’s persevered. All he’s wanted was a chance and now he’s got one.”
Rivers was not selected in the USFL’s original player draft. The first two quarterbacks selected by the Maulers have since been released.
“Sure, I was disappointed I wasn’t drafted originally,” Rivers admitted. “But the league never worked out any players prior to the draft and I had not been playing. Teams had nothing visual to go on.
“My agent and I were assured I was still high on the list of a lot of USFL teams. Finally, something broke for me that way. I know I have the ability. I knew if I kept my faith and trust in God, things would work out in my favor.
“This isn’t the first time I’ve been an underdog,” he added.
An Ellenwood, Ga., resident, Rivers recalled injuring his throwing shoulder at Valdosta State, requiring surgery, and transferring to SRU, where he was originally a third-string quarterback with only two years of collegiate eligibility remaining.
“I wound up winning the Harlon Hill,” he said proudly. “I know what it takes to be successful. Since the Maulers signed me, I’ve been immersed in their playbook. I know I have a small window here, but these games are on national television and there are former NFL players in this league.
“The coaches are former NFL coaches. It’s up to me to prove to everybody I belong. It’s up to me to earn playing time.”
Former Steelers assistant coach Kirby Wilson is head coach of the Maulers.
“This is a step for Roland,” Lutz said. “USFL, then maybe Canada, maybe the NF.. He was always confident something like this was gonna happen. After two years of not playing, a lot of guys would have given it up ... not him.”
One of Rivers’ favorite targets at SRU, receiver Henry Litwin, was recently released by the Chicago Bears after that team signed a few veteran receivers. Litwin has signed with the Ottawa franchise of the Canadian Football League.
Litwin had 221 receptions for 3,392 yards and 42 touchdowns at SRU, all school records.
Eight former Rock football players have at least been in NFL mini-camps since 2015, including running back Wes Hills, who is playing for Hamilton in the CFL.
