During his tenure as head coach of the Alabama football program, Nick Saban achieved remarkable success, with a record of 206-29, six national championships, and eight appearances in the College Football Playoff. The program witnessed the development of numerous talented players, including Kool-Aid McKinstry, a standout cornerback expected to be selected in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. McKinstry played under Saban for three years, contributing to the team’s success, including two appearances in the College Football Playoff.
Interestingly, McKinstry’s journey with the Alabama football program nearly took a different path. As a highly sought-after prospect, he seriously considered joining the Auburn Tigers, Alabama’s biggest rival in the SEC. However, after careful consideration over a span of three days, McKinstry had a change of heart and ultimately chose to commit to the Crimson Tide. This decision allowed him to embark on a successful collegiate career under Saban’s guidance, making significant contributions to the team’s achievements, including their appearances in the College Football Playoff.
Alabama Crimson Tide DB Kool-Aid McKinstry: Talks College Commitment
Kool-Aid McKinstry, the former top prospect and Alabama football star, revealed in an interview with AL.com that he initially considered committing to the Auburn Tigers. However, after three days of contemplation, he decided to choose Alabama as his college destination. McKinstry admitted that he had initially informed Auburn of his intention to commit publicly, but ultimately changed his mind and called his mother to inform her that he would be joining the Alabama Crimson Tide instead.
If Kool-Aid McKinstry had chosen Auburn instead of Alabama, he would have been a significant acquisition for the Tigers. McKinstry was regarded as the top cornerback in the class of 2021, making him a highly sought-after prospect. However, since McKinstry ultimately decided to join Alabama, Auburn was unable to secure a five-star recruit and settled for seven four-star recruits instead. Furthermore, Auburn did not achieve a winning record during the three seasons that McKinstry played for Alabama.
Kool-Aid McKinstry: Stellar Career with Alabama Football
During his three-year tenure with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Kool-Aid McKinstry had an impressive collegiate career. In his first year with the team in 2021, he recorded 26 tackles, one interception, and showcased his skills on the field. The following season, McKinstry had a standout performance, accumulating 35 tackles, two tackles for loss (TFLs), one sack, one interception, and a remarkable 15 passes defended, which was the best in the SEC. He also displayed his versatility by returning 21 punts for 332 yards. In the 2023 season, McKinstry’s production slightly declined, finishing with 32 tackles, two TFLs, and seven passes defended across 14 games.
Throughout his college career, McKinstry faced Auburn three times, and Alabama emerged victorious in each matchup. In the 2021 game, he sacked former Auburn quarterback TJ Finley, showcasing his disruptive abilities. In the subsequent year, McKinstry contributed with four tackles against Auburn, and in the 2023 season, he recorded one tackle in the matchup between the two teams.
