The Washington Commanders are gearing up for their rookie minicamp this weekend, and general manager Adam Peters is still working to strengthen the roster ahead of the 2026 NFL season. While the draft is in the rearview mirror and free agency has quieted down, the team is opening doors for undrafted talent to prove their worth.

One name to watch is Southern Illinois offensive lineman Noah Fenske, who has received an invitation to try out at the minicamp. At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Fenske brings a blend of size, experience, and elite athleticism that could make him a hidden gem for the Commanders.

Fenske's college journey has been anything but straightforward. He started at Iowa, redshirted as a freshman, and played just one game in 2020 before transferring to Colorado. There, he appeared in three games and made his first career start at center against Minnesota. After seven games with the Buffaloes in 2022, Fenske entered the transfer portal again, sitting out a season before landing at Southern Illinois in 2024. That year, he started 11 games at left tackle, and in 2025, he shifted to center, earning second-team All-MVC honors.

What makes Fenske particularly intriguing is his athletic profile. Peters places a high value on the Relative Athletic Score (RAS), and Fenske checks that box in a big way. He posted a 9.90 RAS out of a possible 10.00, ranking eighth among 729 centers tested from 1987 to 2026. That kind of explosiveness and agility is rare for an offensive lineman, especially one with his versatility.

While Fenske faces long odds to make Washington's final roster, his combination of size, experience, and athleticism makes him an ideal developmental project for new offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton. For fans looking for an underdog story this minicamp, Fenske is a name to keep an eye on—and a reminder that sometimes the best players come from the most unexpected paths. Whether he's protecting the quarterback or paving the way for the run game, his journey is just beginning.