Kool-Aid McKinstry
Cornerback, Alabama
Junior
Measurables (via University of Alabama Athletics)
Height: 6010 (6’1)
Weight: 195 lbs
BIO
Ga’Quincy “Kool-aid” McKinstry enrolled at the University of Alabama as a 5-star recruit from Pinson Valley High School and one of the top cornerback recruits in the country.
He saw playing time in his freshman season, seeing minutes in all 15 games and starting in 4 in 2021. In 2022, Kool-Aid McKinstry became a full-time starter for the Crimson Tide and played a crucial role in that time, usually covering the opponent’s number-one receiver. Kool-aid McKinstry is projected as a starter for the 2023 season and earned a spot on the Bednarik award watchlist for this upcoming season. For 2024, Kool-Aid McKinstry will be one of the veteran players on the Crimson Tide defense and looks to show why he is a consensus first-round pick.
KEY STATS (via Sports Reference CFB)
2021 (Alabama): Four starts/15 games. Nine solo/26 total tackles, one sack, one interception, and one pass defended.
2022 (Alabama):13 starts/13 games. 29 solo/35 total tackles, one sack, one interception, and 15 passes defended.
Strengths
-Length: Knows how to use his length to disrupt receivers and make plays on the ball
-Speed: Has shown the speed to match up with most receivers.
-Zone Coverage: In zone instances, McKinstry excels, having great play recognition and awareness
-Contested Catch Ability: McKinstry makes every contested catch a difficult one for the receiver by keeping his head on a swivel and reading the quarterbacks’ eyes.
Weaknesses
-Playing Speed: He doesn’t use his speed as much as he should, letting big plays break off and letting himself get behind receivers.
-Handsy: Too often does McKinstry try to make up for getting beat by holding or grabbing the receiver, which sometimes results in pass interference calls.
-Gets beat too often: As a corner, you are bound to get beat eventually, especially when you are constantly covering the best receivers on the opposing teams, but Kool-Aid McKinstry gave up too many big plays in 2022.
-Consistency: McKinstry is inconsistent in his tackling and press coverage; there are some plays where he looks like the best player on the field but doesn’t do it consistently enough
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Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) – Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Sports
IDEAL FIT
With Kool-aid McKinstry’s current skill set, he would excel in a zone-heavy scheme where he uses his instincts and IQ rather than speed and technique. If he can take the next steps and improve on his weaknesses, Kool-Aid McKinstry can be a game changer in any system.
SUMMARY
Kool-aid McKinstry undoubtedly has all the tools to succeed at Alabama, and his role as a leader for the Crimson Tide defense in the upcoming 2024 season looks to bode well for his draft stock. His combination of length and speed alone could sneak him into the first round. If he can clean up the penalties as well as work on man coverage consistency, he could easily be the first cornerback picked in the 2024 draft.
