Kool-Aid McKinstry
McKinstry with Alabama in 2021
Alabama Crimson Tide – No. 1
PositionCornerback
ClassJunior
Personal information
Born: (2002-09-30) September 30, 2002
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career history
College
Bowl games
High schoolPinson Valley (Pinson, Alabama)
Career highlights and awards

Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry (born September 30, 2002) is an American football cornerback. He was named the 2021 USA Today High School Football Defensive Player of the Year before playing college football at Alabama, 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 in every game was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team, making 25 tackles with a sack and interception and .[5][6] He declared for the 2024 NFL Draft following the 2023 season in which he was named first-team All-American.[7]

Personal life

McKinstry was nicknamed "Kool-Aid" by his grandmother as a baby because his smile reminded her of the Kool-Aid Man.[8] He signed a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with Kool-Aid as a freshman at Alabama.[9]

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 (2021-08-05). "McKinstry wins national awards, surprised by Gronk". al. Archived from the original on 2022-08-14. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
  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 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ 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.
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