The NFL world witnesses a bunch of promising college football stars every year who are destined for greatness in the professional ranks with their phenomenal talent, charisma, and potential to stand out from the crowd. One such rising star is Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry, a standout cornerback from the University of Alabama, who is touted to be a potential top pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Besides having the coolest nickname, McKinstry has been blazing the horn of greatness and caught the attention of many fans with his exceptional skills. Recently an AFC scout heaped praise on the football star following his past track record of success.
Kool-Aid McKinstry: Early life, family, college football
McKinstry spent his childhood in Birmingham and attended Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama. The Pinson native’s first name is still legally Ga’Quincy McKinstry, albeit he is more popular for his nickname “Kool-Aid” which was given by his grandmother shortly after birth as he “came out smiling.”
The nickname became so famous that the Alabama Crimson Tide football roster even dropped his legal name to put the nickname in the roster and the youngster too seemed to love the name immensely as he signed a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal with Kool-Aid during his freshman season.
Sooooo does this mean I get to shout OH YEAH if I want when I walk into a new room 👀 ?🤔 @koolaid pic.twitter.com/YQJlysjHV5
— Kool-Aid “🎰” McKinstry (@GaQMcK1) August 18, 2021
Coming out of high school, the 21-year-old was the top-rated cornerback in the 2021 recruiting class and inked the title of Alabama Mr. Football as a senior following breaking up 12 passes with two interceptions. Despite getting offers from Auburn and LSU, the promising star had been rated a five-star recruit and decided to continue his college football at Alabama.
Throughout 22 college games, the former top recruit recorded 61 tackles, two interceptions, and two sacks along with 16 passes defended. He also topped the list of On3 Sports top cornerbacks in college football ranking out of 10 CBs.
The Top 10 College Football Cornerbacks heading into the 2023 seasonđź‘€https://t.co/1B0V1Uxjog pic.twitter.com/cCLbcQypSJ
— On3 (@On3sports) March 1, 2023
NFL scouts over the moon with McKinstry prospect
The Crimson Tide squad member has been in the starting lineup since he was a freshman last season. An AFC scout who covers the SEC told ESPN’s Matt Miller that the CB already looks like a top draft pick and compared him with the Houston Texans’ third overall pick Derek Stingley Jr and the New York Jets’ fourth overall pick Sauce Gardner.
“McKinstry is the dude. He’s up there with [Derek] Stingley Jr., Sauce [Gardner] & Co. as a college corner. He looks like a top-10 pick already.”
Kool-Aid McKinstry is already reportedly viewed as the “best” CB in next year’s draft by many NFL scouts.
Many scouts also reportedly believe McKinstry is worthy of a “top ten” pick as of now.
One NFL scout reportedly believes McKinstry is on the “same level” as Sauce Gardner… pic.twitter.com/aKw1TgEeqR
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) July 3, 2023
With his excellent anticipation and ball skills, the rising star turned heads over the years and amassed 35 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, and an impressive 15-pass breakup in 2022. He earned first-team All-SEC honors and was recognized by Pro Football Focus as a first-team All-American corner the last season.
Only time will tell where McKinstry could be drafted in the 2024 NFL mock draft and how his football journey will unfold, but he is surely poised to make a significant impact at the professional level.
Fans will definitely wish to catch a glimpse of the player in national football to witness him shaping the future of an NFL franchise.
