The Alabama Crimson Tide might not be the overwhelming powerhouse they were just a few seasons ago, but that does not mean they still do not have outrageous talents across the board. They could still produce multiple top-10 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, and Kool-Aid McKinstry could be one of them. What does his scouting report look like?
Kool-Aid McKinstry Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’1″
- Weight: 195
- Position: Cornerback
- School: Alabama
- Current Year: Junior
Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry has had staying power. Dating back to his days in high school, “Kool-Aid” was already making a name for himself on social media. The clever nickname given to him by his grandmother has replaced his government name. It, along with his outstanding talent, made him a star at an early age.
But McKinstry also produced on the field. He was named Alabama’s Mr. Football as a senior, and USA Today honored him with the Defensive Player of the Year Award.
He was a five-star recruit at 247Sports, Rivals, and On3. ESPN handed him a four-star rating as the fourth-best CB in the nation and the 40th-ranked recruit nationally. No other outlet believed there was a better CB, and no other outlet ranked him lower than 27th nationally.
The Crimson Tide has a long history of cornerback talent that ends up on NFL rosters. It is no easy feat to play in an Alabama secondary early on, but McKinstry found a way to start games as a true freshman.
As a sophomore, McKinstry took over a full-time starting role for the Crimson Tide at CB. But he also took over as their primary punt returner. McKinstry earned All-SEC honors at cornerback. His 332 return yards ranked second in Division I, as did his 15.8-yard average.
Kool-Aid McKinstry Scouting Report
Strengths
- Insane zone coverage awareness
- Great length and knowledge of how to maximize it
- Great bump and run
- Outstanding ball skills facing the QB
- Physical at the top of routes when WR is being pushy
- Lacks panic when out of sync
- Solid tackler in the open field
- Outrageously good communicator in Saban’s defense
- Added value as an explosive punt returner
- Lean, but not lacking strength
- Tenacity as a blitzer
- Sideline bully
Weaknesses
- Need more patience/commitment around the goal line
- True straight-line speed may only be adequate
- Naturally fluid but plays too high and impatient at times to mirror in soft man coverage
- Toes the line between aggressive and handsy (think Jaycee Horn in college)
Current Draft Projection and Summary
McKinstry has been destined for stardom since high school. He possesses the height, length, and athleticism to be a high-level cornerback at the NFL level. While many might see those physical traits and box him in as a true press-man cornerback, that is not where he is best.
The league is moving more and more toward zone coverages that are meant to keep action in front of defensive backs. That is where McKinstry is at his best. The Alabama defensive playbook is a novel, and McKinstry knows every word and diagram from cover to cover.
MORE: FREE Mock Draft Simulator With Trades
He is a coach on the field, telling (and sometimes pleading) his teammates to be in the correct position for what the route distribution demands from them in their zone-match coverage scheme. That intelligence will make him a fan favorite of the Vic Fangio-inspired NFL defenses.
But he is also a legitimate weapon in the return game, which only adds value to whatever franchise decides to call his name in the first round when April rolls around.
NFL Draft Scouting Reports
Using the table below, browse NFL Draft scouting profiles for hundreds of draft prospects so you can get a head start on the 2024 NFL Draft.
Don’t forget to check out our Mock Draft Simulator, where you can take control of your favorite NFL team and build its roster for the future!
You can sort the table below by player, team, or position. For mobile users, this table is best viewed in landscape mode.