Very rarely can players make the jump from Division III to the major leagues in any sport. This year, four players from the St. Thomas football team hope to make that jump.

Quarterback Alex Fenske, wide receiver Joe Reed, defensive lineman Anthony King-Foreman and long snapper Michael Blume, all seniors this year, will be participating at the NFL Regional Combine Saturday at the Vikings’ practice facility in Eden Prairie.

The regional combine functions much like the national combine held annually in Indianapolis in which players perform skills tests and workouts in front of NFL scouts. Fenske has wanted to do this for as long as he can remember.

“This is something I’ve always thought about since I was little kid playing football,” Fenske said. “I’ll hopefully get some attention and turn some heads.”

Though only a starter for one year, Fenske definitely turned heads in the MIAC during the 2016 season.

He threw for 2,882 yards and 28 touchdowns while leading the Tommies to a win streak that wouldn’t be broken until the quarterfinal round of the NCAA national tournament. Fenske was named MIAC regular season Player of the Year.

Head football coach Glenn Caruso believes Fenske is in a good position to go to the next level.

“He’s put in a tremendous amount of work,” he said. “When you play a position like quarterback, all eyes are on you. Throughout the years he’s matured into a guy who can … fight through some difficult (circumstances).”

The jump from D-III to the NFL will be the most difficult circumstance Fenske has faced in his career. According to the NCAA, collegiate football players have a 1.6 percent chance of being drafted by an NFL team, and that estimation takes into account all levels of collegiate play.

Since 1988, only 20 football players at the NCAA D-III level have been taken in the NFL draft. Three of those players are currently in the league.

Players who aren’t selected have a chance to sign with teams as undrafted free agents, but have to compete against thousands of other undrafted players for limited roster spots.

Despite this, Caruso believes that Fenske’s ability to match a professional skill level won’t be the primary issue.

“It’s a given that he has to be able to cross that hurdle,” Caruso said. “Much of it has to do with if a team has a spot at his position. It’s such an acute number of teams at the professional level and they’re all different in how they look for and place their talent.”

Fenske would be happy just to get a shot.

“The ultimate dream would be the Minnesota Vikings because they’ve been my favorite since I was little,” he said, “but I’d be okay with any team.”

No matter what happens, his coach believes Fenske will succeed wherever he ends up.

“It makes me really proud to see his growth and his progress,” Caruso said. “Whatever happens, I know Alex makes the most of the opportunities given to him.”

For now, Fenske wants “whatever” to be the NFL.

“You can’t play football for your whole life,” he said. “Right now, though, I’m really focused on this. I can see the NFL.”

Noah Brown can be reached at brow7736@stthomas.edu