Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kool-Aid McKinstry  CB  Alabama | NFL Draft 2024 Souting Report - Portrait Image
Kool-Aid McKinstry
Height
6-0
Weight
199
College
Alabama
Position
CB
Class
Junior
Home town
Birmingham, AL
88.0/100
Player Rating
4
PositionRank (DB)
4.47
FortyYD Time
Interceptions
Interception YDS
Passes Defensed
7
Tackles
32
Sol tackles
24
Kool-Aid McKinstry Prospect Overview
Sep 2, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry (1) returns a punt against the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 56-7. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Kool-Aid McKinstry CB Alabama
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB
Last Updated: 03/20/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.47 seconds (61%*)
Age: 21.5 DOB: 09/30/2002
Measurables:
Height: 6-0 (63%*) Weight: 199 (75%*)
Hands: 8 1/2 (19%*) Arm: 32 (64%*)
Forty: 4.47 (P) (61%*)
Vertical: 34.5 (P) (29%*) Broad: 121 (P) (43%*)
0% 100%
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other (HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
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ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB
Last Updated: 03/20/2024
Draft Year: 2024
40 time: 4.47 seconds (61%*)
Age: 21.5 DOB: 09/30/2002
Measurables:
0% 100%
Height: 6-0 (63%*) Weight: 199 (75%*)
Hands: 8 1/2 (19%*) Arm: 32 (64%*)
Forty: 4.47 (P) (61%*)
Vertical: 34.5 (P) (29%*) Broad: 121 (P) (43%*)
(C) - NFL Combine (P) - Pro Day (O) - Other
(HS) -Estimated from High School Combine
For an explanation of how the (HS) data is calculated see this article
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
Overall Rating: 88.0 / 100
Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced
Offense Rating:
82%
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects.
QB Rating When targeted: 66.4
Tackling:
87%
Run Defense:
91%
Coverage:
95%
Zone:
90%
Man/Press:
91%
DRAFT PROJECTION: 1st - Mid
Overall Rank: #23 Position rank: #4
College Games: 37 College Snaps: 2121
Grade: 4 ESPN  Stars 4 ESPN  Stars ESPN RATING: 87/100
Grade: 247 Sports 5  Stars 247 Sports 99 Stars 247 RATING: 99/100
Grade: 5 Stars 5 Stars RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
Player Comparison* (Similarity level)
Roger McCreary - Auburn
74%
Trent McDuffie - Washington
74%
Devon Witherspoon - Illinois
74%
Draft Profile: Bio
Ga’Quincy McKinstry, or "Kool-Aid" to most folks, made a name for himself in high school at Pinson Valley. With a 4-star recruit rating from ESPN and a 5-star from 247 Sports, he scored 13 total touchdowns in his senior season. These feats didn’t go unnoticed, earning him the Alabama’s Mr. Football title and Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today.

Kool-Aid picked the University of Alabama to continue playing football. In his freshman year, 2021, he played in 11 games and took 479 snaps at cornerback. His stats: 10 tackles, 13 assists, 3 stops, 1 pass breakup, and an interception, with a QB rating of 79.7 when he was targeted.

In 2022, McKinstry upped his game in his sophomore year, playing in 12 games and totaling 794 snaps. He recorded 29 tackles, 6 assists, 7 stops, 13 pass breakups, and another interception. Also, the QB rating when throwing his way dropped to 59.0, showing his defensive growth.

Kool-Aid is known for his athletic skills and cool persona, hence the nickname from his grandma. His journey from high school to the Crimson Tide saw him shine defensively and as a punt returner. With 332 return yards, second in Division I, and a 15.8-yard average, he's become a promising prospect in professional football.
Scouting Report: Strengths
  • Exhibits exceptional awareness in zone coverage, consistently reading and reacting to the quarterback and unfolding plays.
  • Boasts impressive length, adeptly leveraging it to disrupt passes and intimidate receivers with his extended reach.
  • Admirably skilled in bump and run, utilizing foot quickness and hip fluidity to mirror and challenge receivers instantly.
  • Demonstrates remarkable ball skills, particularly when facing the quarterback, frequently contesting and disrupting pass attempts effectively.
  • Physical and authoritative at the route's peak, especially when receivers attempt to assert dominance through aggressive play.
  • Exudes a composed demeanor even in disarray, maintaining poise and making necessary adjustments without appearing flustered.
  • Manifests as a potent communicator within Saban’s defense, ensuring teammates are positioned accurately for diverse zone-match coverage schemes.
  • Provides added value in the return game, showcasing explosive punt return skills that complement his defensive prowess.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
  • Allows WRs to stack him deep; needs to tighten vertical phase and deny deep-ball leverage to mitigate NFL-level aerial threats.
  • Struggles against physical route runners, especially on sharp breaks; must sharpen mirroring against agile, physical WRs in the short-intermediate game.
  • Red-zone patience and play-recognition could elevate; tendencies to bite on fakes or misreads near paydirt need retooling.
  • Displays choppy transitions in bail technique during zone looks; hips and pedal need smoothing to stifle comebacks and curls effectively.
  • Walks a fine line with downfield physicality; must dial back hand-fighting to avoid drawing the laundry on Sundays.
Scouting Report: Summary
Kool-Aid McKinstry brings a compelling mix to the table, and there's no doubting his ceiling at the next level. The kid shows up on tape, and those 16 defended passes in the SEC aren't a fluke – that's ball skills and anticipation converging. A couple of notes - his physicality in press, the knack for denying the deep ball, and fluidity in movement all pop off the screen. Kid’s got the tangible stuff you can’t coach, but he’s got a few technique refinements ahead to shine against the pros.

Versatility is where McKinstry could pay dividends for a lot of NFL schemes. He’s shown the ability to switch it up, playing both outside and sliding into the slot without missing a beat. His reactive athleticism gives him a leg up, but that transition from college to dealing with NFL route trees and seasoned wideouts will test those skills. He's got the motor, but how it fires against NFL-caliber receivers is the real query.

On the IQ side, McKinstry’s got that field general vibe. The kid's not shy about aligning his guys, calling out assignments and stepping into that on-field leadership role – critical stuff in high-stakes, situational football. This isn’t just athleticism; it’s being a student of the game, and that's gonna resonate with a lot of defensive coordinators looking for a plug-and-play option in the secondary.

Lastly, that added flavor of being a threat in the return game? That's bonus points. Teams love a guy who can flip the field, and McKinstry’s shown he’s got the chops there too. So while he’s primed to offer something special at corner, that special teams tick adds another layer to his draft appeal. Smart money says he’s a Day 1 guy if the pre-draft process stays clean. He’s gonna turn heads in camp; it's just a matter of how fast he adapts to the next level.

Kool-Aid McKinstry percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)

How other scouting services rate Kool-Aid McKinstry (Overall Rank)

All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
22.9
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
3.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance. For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.

*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.