PITTSBURGH — Former Slippery Rock University quarterback Roland Rivers III had a cup of coffee in the NFL recently, courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He still wants the full meal.

And Rivers — the Harlon Hill Trophy recipient as the best player in NCAA Division II in 2019 — believes more than ever he belongs at the table.

Rivers was one of five undrafted, unsigned free agents offered a tryout during the Steelers' rookie mini-camp last month.

“I loved being around football again,” he said. “I've missed the locker room, being part of a team working to accomplish a goal together.

“Being one of just five guys they (Steelers) thought enough of to give a look, that was a nice accomplishment for me right there.”

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Rivers said he believes he showcased his skills effectively during the four-day camp. He worked closely with Steelers quarterback coach Mike Sullivan.

“We did a lot of one-on-one drills and I learned a lot from Coach Sullivan,” Rivers said. “The Steelers have a lot of talented rookies and I felt like I belonged there.

“Our offense had meetings together and spent part of the last day running plays against the rookies' defensive unit. I hit some passes, didn't throw an interception or turn the ball over.

“The coaches told me I handled the huddle well, got everybody out of the huddle and to the line quickly. They liked the way I took charge,” Rivers added.

But in the end, there was no contract offer.

Citing a “crowded quarterback room,” the coaches simply told Rivers to stay ready.

“Mason Rudolph is a veteran backup, Josh Dobbs was drafted, Dwayne Haskins was a first-round draft pick ... there just wasn't any room there,” Rivers said. “But the coaches told me they think I can play. I know I can play.

“I got my foot in the door. We'll see where it goes from here.”

SRU head coach Shawn Lutz said a Steeler assistant coach told him the staff was impressed with Rivers.

“They already have the four quarterbacks. They needed an extra arm to come in and throw during that rookie camp,” Lutz said. “But Roland left an impression. That coach told me that if one of those four guys was to go down with an injury, they would bring him back.”

Though Rivers threw for 4,460 yards and 52 touchdowns with only seven interceptions, rushed for 700 yards and nine TDs during his final season at SRU, general NFL scouting reports state he does not have NFL-caliber arm strength to zip the ball into small windows, has trouble getting through his progressions and has not demonstrated the ability to look safeties off with his eyes.

“I disagree with the arm strength criticism — that's one of his strengths,”Lutz said. “Reading progressions, looking off safeties, that comes through experience of playing at that level.

“Three days isn't enough time to assess somebody. But Roland got some film through that experience that his agent can send to other NFL teams. Now he just has to wait and see.”

Rivers insists his talents have “improved considerably” since his SRU years.

With the Steelers opting to not sign Rivers, he is officially a free agent again.

“NFL teams have a window from June 20 to July 25 when they can sign guys and bring them to camp,” Rivers said. “That's the next step for me. We'll see how that plays out.”

For the first time, Rivers is considering the Canadian Football League as a viable option if he doesn't get into another NFL camp.

“I just found out they're going to play this year,” he said of the CFL. “Yeah, I would consider that.”

“I really believe that's the way to go for him now,” Lutz said of the CFL. “He needs to go play, get some pro experience.

“He can't not play football for two years. Roland is so determined. If that's the best option, take it.”