Kool-Aid McKinstry explained

Kool-Aid McKinstry
Current Team:New Orleans Saints
Number:34
Position:Cornerback
Birth Date:September 30, 2002
Birth Place:Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:199
College:Alabama (2021–2023)
Draftyear:2024
Draftround:2
Draftpick:41
Pastteams:
Status:Active
Highlights:
Statseason:2024
Statlabel1:Tackles
Statlabel2:Sacks
Statlabel3:Forced fumbles
Statlabel4:Fumble recoveries
Statlabel5:Pass deflections
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statlabel7:Touchdowns
Pfr:M/McKiKo00

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.

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 college football at Alabama from 2021 to 2023.[5] 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.[6] [7] He led the SEC in passes defended in the 2022 season with 15.[8] He was named as a first team All-American by the Associated Press for the 2023 season.[9] He declared for the 2024 NFL draft following the 2023 season in which he was named first-team All-American.[10]

Professional career

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.[11] McKinstry was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 41st pick in the 2024 NFL draft.[12]

Personal life

McKinstry was nicknamed "Kool-Aid" by his grandmother as a baby because his smile reminded her of the Kool-Aid Man.[13] He signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Kool-Aid as a freshman at Alabama.[14]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 5-Star CB Ga'Quincy McKinstry Names Final 3 Teams Featuring Alabama, Auburn, LSU. Scott. Polacek. Bleacher Report. July 19, 2020. September 12, 2022. September 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912163005/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2900871-5-star-cb-gaquincy-mckinstry-names-final-3-teams-featuring-alabama-auburn-lsu. live.
  2. Web site: Alabama signee Ga'Quincy McKinstry is Mr. Football for state. The Gadsden Times. January 17, 2021. September 12, 2022. September 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912162755/https://www.gadsdentimes.com/story/sports/2021/01/17/alabama-signee-kool-aid-gaquincy-mckinstry-mr-football-state/4191254001/. live.
  3. Web site: Rodak . Mike . 2021-08-05 . McKinstry wins national awards, surprised by Gronk . 2023-08-23 . al . en . 2022-08-14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220814151624/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2021/08/kool-aid-mckinstry-wins-national-award-surprised-by-rob-gronkowski.html . live .
  4. Web site: Top 2021 prospect Ga'Quincy McKinstry commits to Tide over Auburn, LSU. Ben. Thomas. AL.com. October 25, 2020. September 12, 2022. September 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912003610/https://www.al.com/highschoolsports/2020/10/top-2021-prospect-gaquincy-mckinstry-commits-to-tide-over-auburn-lsu.html. live.
  5. Web site: Kool-Aid McKinstry College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits . 2024-05-21 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  6. Web site: Kool-Aid McKinstry Confident Heading into Sophomore Season. Katie. Windham. SI.com. August 9, 2022. September 11, 2022. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220911153756/https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/kool-aid-mckinstry-confident-heading-into-sophomore-season. live.
  7. Web site: What Kool-Aid McKinstry told his mom he wanted to do at Alabama. Mike. Rodak. AL.com. August 10, 2022. September 11, 2022. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220911153757/https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2022/08/what-kool-aid-mckinstry-told-his-mom-he-wanted-to-do-at-alabama.html. live.
  8. Web site: 2022 SEC Leaders . 2024-05-21 . College Football at Sports-Reference.com . en.
  9. Web site: 2023-12-11 . 2023 Associated Press All-America Team . 2024-05-21 . AP News . en.
  10. Web site: Edholm . Eric . January 4, 2024 . Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry announces he intends to enter 2024 NFL Draft . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240108140616/https://www.nfl.com/news/alabama-cb-kool-aid-mckinstry-announces-he-intends-to-enter-2024-nfl-draft . 8 January 2024 . 8 January 2024 . NFL.com.
  11. Web site: Patra . Kevin . March 1, 2024 . Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry has Jones fracture in right foot, won't work out at combine . 2024-05-21 . NFL.com . en-US.
  12. Web site: Smith . Michael David . 2024-04-27 . Saints trade up for Kool-Aid McKinstry at No. 41 . 2024-05-21 . NBC Sports . en-US.
  13. Web site: Alabama has a defensive back named Kool-Aid McKinstry. Tom. Gatto. Sporting News. June 12, 2021. September 11, 2022. September 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220911153757/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/alabama-defensive-back-named-kool-aid-mckinstry/1bapb1mw4l6oi13ftb6kcvvaq0. live.
  14. Web site: Alabama Crimson Tide freshman Ga'Quincy 'Kool-Aid' McKinstry signs NIL deal with drink company. Alex. Scarborough. ESPN.com. August 18, 2021. September 12, 2022. September 12, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220912152247/https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32045155/alabama-crimson-tide-freshman-kool-aid-mckinstry-signs-nil-deal-drink-company. live.

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