Editor’s Note: This story was updated to include a quote from Paul Geelen and include the signing of Noah Fenske by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Even though neither of them heard their name called in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the NFL draft, both former Saluki football Cornerback Jeremiah McClendon, former Saluki kicker/punter Paul Geelen and former Saluki offensive lineman Noah Fenske signed with NFL teams in the days that followed.

McClendon signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent almost immediately after the draft ended.

“I’m coming into mini-camp head first,” he told StrongDawgs in an interview later that night. “Every time I step onto the field, I want to take advantage of the opportunity that I have to show my best talent. I’ll play every snap like it’s my last snap.”

McClendon played both the 2024 and 2025 seasons at SIU after transferring from Florida International. McClendon got both national and conference hardware after the 2025 season. 

He was voted a second team FCS All-American by both Stats Perform and the Associated Press, while also garnering third team recognition from FCS Football Central. McClendon was also the lone Saluki to make the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team.

McClendon made his mark in the SIU record books in 2025 when he tied the SIU record for pass breakups in a season with 14.

Geelen received an invitation to Denver Broncos rookie minicamp, which takes place in early May. He served as both the placekicker and the punter for SIU, but is trying out as a kicker for the Broncos.

“I am extremely blessed to have received this opportunity,” Geelen told the Daily Egyptian. “I am looking forward to head to Denver and show them what I am capable of.”

Geelen played both the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Carbondale after spending the first two years of his collegiate career at Division II William Jewell. 

Geelen was voted a second team All-Missouri Valley selection in 2025, while adding a Stats Perform third team All-American honor and AP All-American honorable mention to his award shelf.

He went 15-17 on field goals in 2025, with both misses being from over 50 yards, and was perfect on PATs.

Geelen is also eligible for the International Player Pathway Program as a native of the Netherlands, which means the Broncos can use an extra spot to keep him on the practice squad.

Fenske received an invite to Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp Tuesday afternoon, which takes place Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2.

Fenske spent the last three years as part of the SIU football program after spending the 2022 season at Colorado. In 2025, Fenske joined Geelen as a second team All-MVC member.

There are currently two former Salukis in the NFL, as safety Jeremy Chinn is currently on the Las Vegas Raiders and safety PJ Jules is currently a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.

Sports Reporter Eli Hoover can be found at [email protected] or on Instagram @hoovermakesart 

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