Kool-Aid McKinstry

Last updated

Kool-Aid McKinstry
Kool-Aid McKinstry 2021.jpg
McKinstry with Alabama in 2021
New Orleans Saints
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2002-09-30) September 30, 2002 (age 21)
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:199 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school: Pinson Valley (Pinson, Alabama)
College: Alabama (2021–2023)
NFL draft: 2024  / Round: 2 / Pick: 41
Career history
Roster status:Unsigned draft pick
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2024
Player stats at NFL.com

Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry (born September 30, 2002) is an American football cornerback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He was named the 2021 USA Today High School Football Defensive Player of the Year before playing college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was named an All-American in 2023.

Contents

Early life and high school

McKinstry grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and attended Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama. [1] He was named Alabama Mr. Football as a senior after breaking up 12 passes with two interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns, on defense and catching 45 passes for 706 yards and 11 touchdowns on offense. [2] He was named the USA Today Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. [3] McKinstry was rated a five-star recruit and committed to play college football at Alabama. [4]

College career

McKinstry played in every game, and was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team, making 25 tackles with a sack and one interception. [5] [6] He declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season in which he was named first-team All-American. [7]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
5 ft 11+1⁄2 in
(1.82 m)		199 lb
(90 kg)		32 in
(0.81 m)		8+1⁄2 in
(0.22 m)		4.52 s1.44 s2.72 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day [8] [9]

On March 1, 2024, it was revealed that McKinstry was diagnosed with a fracture in his right foot, preventing him from taking part at the Combine, but he later stated that he would still participate in the Pro Day activities. [10] McKinstry was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 41st pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

Personal life

McKinstry was nicknamed "Kool-Aid" by his grandmother as a baby because his smile reminded her of the Kool-Aid Man. [11] He signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Kool-Aid as a freshman at Alabama. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcell Dareus</span> American football player (born 1990)

Marcell Dareus is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was named defensive MVP of the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. Dareus was selected by the Buffalo Bills third overall in the 2011 NFL draft. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Pinson Valley High School (PVHS) is a four-year public high school in the Birmingham, Alabama suburb of Pinson. It is the fifth largest of the Jefferson County Board of Education's fourteen high schools. School colors are garnet and gold, and the athletic teams are called the Indians. PVHS competes in AHSAA Class 6A athletics.

DeMarcus Armon "Dee" Milliner is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was recognized as a unanimous All-American in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A'Shawn Robinson</span> American football player (born 1995)

A'Shawn Robinson is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft and has also played in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he won Super Bowl LVI.

Ed Stinson is a former American football defensive end. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrell Lewis (American football)</span> American football player (born 1998)

Terrell Lewis is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Landon Dickerson</span> American football player (born 1998)

Landon Dickerson is an American football guard for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football as a center for the Florida State Seminoles and the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Will Anderson Jr.</span> American football player (born 2001)

William Anderson Jr. is an American football defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, where he won several awards, such as the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, and was a part of Alabama's national championship in 2020.

LaBryan Ray is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama. He has been a member of the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Stars.

Jahleel Billingsley is an American football tight end who is a free agent. He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and Alabama Crimson Tide.

Cameron Latu is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phidarian Mathis</span> American football player (born 1998)

Phidarian "Phil" Mathis is an American football defensive tackle for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama and was selected by the Commanders in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Miller Forristall is an American football tight end for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

Dallas Turner is an American football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he named a consensus All-American and the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. Turner was selected by the Vikings in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season marked the Crimson Tide's 129th overall season, 90th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 32nd and final season within the SEC Western Division, with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC on July 1, 2024. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and were led by Nick Saban in his 17th and final season as head coach.

Christopher Allen is an American football linebacker for the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Branch</span> American football player (born 2001)

Brian Amani Branch is an American football safety for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Braswell</span> American football player (born 2001)

Chris Braswell is an American linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terrion Arnold</span> American football player (born 2003)

Terrion Arnold is an American football cornerback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, receiving All-American honors in 2023. Arnold was selected by the Lions in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

Khyree Jackson is an American football cornerback for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Fort Scott Greyhounds, the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oregon Ducks. He was selected by the Vikings in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ Polacek, Scott (July 19, 2020). "5-Star CB Ga'Quincy McKinstry Names Final 3 Teams Featuring Alabama, Auburn, LSU". Bleacher Report . Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Alabama signee Ga'Quincy McKinstry is Mr. Football for state". The Gadsden Times . January 17, 2021. Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  3. ↑ Rodak, Mike (August 5, 2021). "McKinstry wins national awards, surprised by Gronk". al. Archived from the original on August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
  4. ↑ Thomas, Ben (October 25, 2020). "Top 2021 prospect Ga'Quincy McKinstry commits to Tide over Auburn, LSU". AL.com . Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
  5. ↑ Windham, Katie (August 9, 2022). "Kool-Aid McKinstry Confident Heading into Sophomore Season". SI.com . Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  6. ↑ Rodak, Mike (August 10, 2022). "What Kool-Aid McKinstry told his mom he wanted to do at Alabama". AL.com . Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  7. ↑ Edholm, Eric. "Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry announces he intends to enter 2024 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Kool-Aid McKinstry Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  9. ↑ "2024 NFL Draft Scout Kool-Aid McKinstry College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  10. ↑ "Kool-Aid McKinstry has Jones fracture in right foot, won't work out at combine". NFL. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  11. ↑ Gatto, Tom (June 12, 2021). "Alabama has a defensive back named Kool-Aid McKinstry". Sporting News . Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  12. ↑ Scarborough, Alex (August 18, 2021). "Alabama Crimson Tide freshman Ga'Quincy 'Kool-Aid' McKinstry signs NIL deal with drink company". ESPN.com . Archived from the original on September 12, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.