The Washington Commanders might have found a hidden gem in undrafted rookie cornerback Fred Davis II. After signing the Northwestern product as a free agent, Davis turned heads at the team's rookie minicamp this weekend—and he's determined to prove he belongs.

For longtime Washington fans, the name "Fred Davis" brings back memories of a different player: the former Redskins tight end who played from 2008 to 2013. But don't let the same name fool you. Fred Davis II is not the son of that former tight end. Instead, he's a 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback carving his own path to the NFL.

Davis's journey to Washington wasn't a straight line. He started his college career as a five-star recruit at Clemson from 2020 to 2022, but things didn't go as planned. Rather than give up, he took the road less traveled—transferring to UCF (2023), then Jacksonville State (2024), and finally Northwestern (2025). It was with the Wildcats that Davis found his stride, starting 11 of 12 games in his final season. He racked up 32 tackles, defended six passes, recovered a fumble, and earned an invitation to the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Going undrafted didn't shake Davis's confidence. After rookie minicamp practice, he told reporters, "I've learned I can grasp on to whatever my environment is. I can grasp onto anything quick. We had some install going on, and I caught on real fast."

With the Commanders needing depth at cornerback, Davis is making a strong case for a roster spot. He's not just hoping to make the team—he's bringing the kind of resilience and adaptability that coaches love. "I am going to bring just being a great teammate, just put a step forward," Davis said.

For a team looking to shore up its secondary, Davis might just be the underdog story worth watching this preseason.