Kool-Aid McKinstry is one of the most highly regarded cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft after making waves throughout his standout college career.
Let’s take a look at where McKinstry began his journey and some of the key moments on the way to him earning an opportunity in the NFL.
Where Did Kool-Aid McKinstry’s Football Career Start?
It all started at Pinson Valley High School in Alabama for McKinstry, where he was rated a five-star recruit and the No. 1 cornerback prospect in his class by 247Sports. He was also ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the state of Alabama and the No. 18 prospect in the nation by 247Sports.
He was also selected to the Under Armour All-America Game roster and was a two-way playmaker for Pinson Valley, helping lead them to an Alabama 6A state championship in 2020 and three titles in four years.
Revisiting McKinstry’s College Career
McKinstry stayed close to home for his collegiate career by signing with Alabama, and he made an early impact with the Crimson Tide.
He appeared in 15 games during the 2021 season as a true freshman, tallying 25 tackles, one sack, one interception, and a pass breakup among a deep secondary group.
Kool-Aid McKinstry will have ___ pass breakups in 2023.pic.twitter.com/CgZ3xAiyDH
— College Football Network (@CFN365) April 24, 2023
McKinstry then took over as a starting cornerback for the Tide in 2022, along with handling punt return duties. He racked up 35 tackles, 15 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one interception while ranking second among Division-I punt returners with 332 yards.
McKinstry then wrapped up his college career strong with 32 tackles and seven pass breakups and was widely recognized as one of the nation’s top defensive backs.
McKinstry’s Potential in the NFL
McKinstry is projected as a likely first-round pick, though perhaps in the later half, given the 2024 NFL Draft’s other talented cornerback prospects.
Pro Football Network’s draft analyst Ian Cummings has McKinstry graded out as the third-best cornerback prospect overall behind Alabama teammate Terrion Arnold and Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, while also ranking McKinstry as 19th overall on his big board.
Cummings also had plenty of praise for McKinstry in his scouting report.
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Kool-Aid McKinstry
“McKinstry grades out as a top-25 prospect and a worthy first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He has scheme-versatile starting ability early in his NFL career.
“McKinstry is the lower-ceiling counterpart to Arnold in Alabama’s secondary, but that’s more a nod to Arnold than it is a knock to McKinstry. McKinstry is still a very good athlete with exceptional explosiveness and fluidity, and his short-area twitch and foot speed serve as central components of his game.
“In press-man and off-man, McKinstry has the urgent motion to effortlessly match receivers, and he channels that motion through keen spatial efficiency and awareness. He has a natural feel for matching technique and uses his technical discipline and precise, venomous targeted physicality to funnel WRs into corners.”
Highlights, Records, and More
McKinstry has racked up plenty of accolades thus far in his star-studded football career.
He was notably named Alabama’s Mr. Football during his senior year of high school, and earned recognition among the state’s top football players. McKinstry was also a semifinalist in 2022 for the Bednarik Award, which is annually awarded to the top defensive player in FBS college football.
McKinstry then wrapped up his collegiate career with plenty of accolades as he was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press, The Sporting News, CBS Sports, Pro Football Focus, Sports Illustrated, and USA Today. He also earned second-team All-America recognition from the AFCA, Walter Camp, and The Athletic, and was a first-team All-SEC selection.
McKinstry will look to add to his already crowded trophy case with more accolades during his professional career.
KEEP READING: Top CBs in the 2024 NFL Draft
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