PITTSBURGH — Dorien Bryant, one of the nation's most productive pass receivers and kick returners last season at Purdue, was among 12 rookie free agents signed Monday by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The 5-foot-10 Bryant, bypassed during the NFL draft because of his size, caught at least 80 passes in each of the last three seasons. He made 876 catches for 936 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007 and 87 for 1,068 yards and six touchdowns in 2006. He had 80 catches as a sophomore in 2005.

Bryant also averaged 27.9 yards on 36 kickoff returns last season, with a longest return of 98 yards, and 7.2 yards on 15 punt returns.

The Steelers also signed a fifth quarterback, Mike Potts of William & Mary, after drafting Oregon star Dennis Dixon on the fifth round Sunday.

Potts is a Pittsburgh native who was a starter at William & Mary for most of the 2006 season but lost his job to Jacob Phillips last season. Potts finished his senior season 25-of-40 for 245 yards and two touchdowns.

The other rookies signed were center Doug Legursky of Marshall, linebacker Patrick Bailey of Duke, cornerback Roy Lewis of Washington, defensive linemen Martavius Prince of Southern Mississippi and Jordan Reffett of Washington, kicker Julian Rauch of Appalachian State, wide receiver Micah Rucker of Eastern Illinois, tight end Dezmond Sherrod of Mississippi State, cornerback Travis Williams of East Carolina and linebacker Donovan Woods of Oklahoma State.