Kool-Aid McKinstry has been one of the nation’s best defensive backs in recent seasons and is now leaving college football to join the NFL. The star corner has been productive and reliable, playing over 2,100 snaps in his three-year career with the Alabama Crimson Tide.
McKinstry’s college stats bear out his consistency and mental capabilities as the Alabama CB locked down the perimeter in Tuscaloosa.
Kool-Aid McKinstry Sees the Field Early in Freshman Year
McKinstry committed to Alabama as a five-star recruit out of Pinson Valley High School, where he was named Mr. Football in the state of Alabama in his senior season. The corner joined the secondary rotation in Tuscaloosa early in his Crimson Tide career, featuring in nine games in his freshman season, playing 479 defensive snaps.
His first start came against Mercer in September 2021, when McKinstry recorded six tackles, one interception, and one pass defended. The coaching staff honored him as one of the defensive players of the week for his fantastic performance, which set the bar high for the remainder of his rookie season.
It was the only interception McKinstry would have as a freshman. Still, with 26 total tackles, one for a loss, and one sack, he displayed his mentality of being around the ball while playing physically and athletically. His freshman campaign culminated with a place on the Freshman All-SEC Team.
Total Tackles: 26
Tackles For A Loss: 1
Sacks: 1
Interceptions: 1
Interception Return Yards: 0
Passes Defended: 1
McKinstry Impresses in Sophomore Campaign
McKinstry was an out-and-out starter in his second season in Tuscaloosa and continued to develop into one of the top defensive backs in the nation.
The Alabama corner was unbeatable and played 872 defensive snaps in 13 games. He led the team with 15 passes defended on 80 targets, giving up 37 receptions. His ability to stick with routes and any receiver was among the best in the nation, and McKinstry was a true leader in the Crimson Tide defense.
McKinstry also returned punts as a sophomore, having 21 attempts for 332 return yards. Against Louisiana-Monroe, the DB registered five attempts for 136 yards as a returner.
Named a second-team All-American in 2022, McKinstry registered 35 tackles, two for a loss, and a sack as a freshman. His solo interception on the year came against Austin Peay, which he returned for 26 yards.
Total Tackles: 35
Tackles For A Loss: 2
Sacks: 1
Interceptions: 1
Interception Return Yards: 26
Passes Defended: 15
Punt Return Attempts: 21
Punt Return Yards: 332
McKinstry Establishes Himself as a Lockdown Corner in Junior Year
McKinstry entered his junior season rated as one of the top cornerbacks in the country, having already caught the eyes of NFL scouts.
Alongside Terrion Arnold, the Crimson Tide had the best cornerback duo in the country. However, McKinstry was challenged less in 2023. He was only targeted 39 times and had seven passes defended, allowing just 19 receptions on the year. McKinstry gave up the lowest yardage of his career, with receivers only claiming 205 yards on the corner in 14 games.
He again contributed as a punt returner, returning 35 punts for 86 yards.
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It was another impressive year for the Alabama corner, who later discovered he was also suffering from an injury. At the NFL Combine, it was revealed that McKinstry had a Jones fracture that prevented him from testing, meaning he would have to undergo surgery.
McKinstry still rounded out his career by being named a first-team All-American and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Total Tackles: 32
Tackles For A Loss: 2
Sacks: 0
Interceptions: 0
Interception Return Yards: 0
Passes Defended: 7
Punt Return Attempts: 14
Punt Return Yards: 86
McKinstry’s Final College Stats
Total Tackles: 93
Tackles For A Loss: 5
Sacks: 2
Interceptions: 2
Interception Return Yards: 26
Passes Defended: 23
Punt Return Attempts: 35
Punt Return Yards: 418
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