2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Kool-Aid McKinstry, Cornerback, Alabama
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Kool-Aid McKinstry, a cornerback from Alabama. He is from Birmingham, AL, and was a 5-star recruit out of Pinson Valley High School.
Kool-Aid started his collegiate career in 2021 with Alabama. He appeared in 15 games as a freshman where he recorded 9 solo tackles, 17 assists, 1 tackle for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 1 pass defended in a solid, but unspectacular freshman season.
He took his game to the next level in 2022 as a sophomore. That season he flourished for the Crimson Tide when he totaled 29 solo tackles, 6 assists, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 interception, and 15 passes defended. It was a truly electric breakout for the elite defender.
His final season in college came in 2023 as a junior where he once again put up outstanding numbers. He racked up 24 solo tackles, 8 assists, 2 tackles for loss, and 7 passes defended before declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| *2021 | Alabama | SEC | FR | DB | 15 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2022 | Alabama | SEC | SO | 13 | 29 | 6 | 35 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1 | 26 | 26.0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| *2023 | Alabama | SEC | JR | DB | 14 | 24 | 8 | 32 | 2.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career | Alabama | 62 | 31 | 93 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 0 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Possesses remarkable ball skills and is a monster in contested catch situations.
- Has exceptional awareness and ability to read the play.
- Is a physical and aggressive defender that is tough to play against.
- He is poised and possesses the calmness of a far more experienced defender.
Weaknesses
- He struggles to tackle physical runners in post-catch situations.
- Tends to get beaten on deep routes by speedy receivers who run vertical routes.
- He lacks patience in the red zone and overcommits at times leading to breakdowns in coverage.
- His downfield physicality walks a thin line between great play and pass interference and he could be prone to excess penalties as a rookie.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Late 1st Round
Ideal Landing Spot: Green Bay Packers
The Packers need a skilled corner to pair with Jaire Alexander and McKinstry could be the perfect fit. Green Bay has an aging defense and the youth they do have is subpar when compared to McKinstry.
The Packers pick later in the first round, and he could be long gone by the time they are on the clock, but if he is available he projects to be one of the safest picks in the first round.
McKinstry would be a great asset and would just start a youth movement on defense for Green Bay.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 2.41 to the New Orleans Saints
McKinstry
