He graduated from Pinson (Ala.) Valley High School as a three-time 6A State Champion.
Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry arrived on the University of Alabama campus as a five-star athlete in 2021.
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He played basketball and football in high school, and had dreams of doing it in college. McKinstry got opportunities as a cornerback last season, posting 17 tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss, and a pass breakup. He earned a spot on the All-Freshman Team for the Southeastern Conference. McKinstry has a lot of confidence going into his sophomore season, especially with him performing offseason training. He’s now looked at as a leader in the secondary, but he is putting one sport to the side.
McKinstry practiced with Nate Oats and Alabama men’s basketball as a freshman. He has the athleticism to play both sports, but McKinstry wants to win a national championship. As he enters his second year, the talented in-state defensive backs has one goal.
“My approach to that when I first got here was to play basketball and football,” McKinstry said. “I practiced with the bassketball team in my freshman year, but as of now I won’t be playing basketball.”
McKinstry in a position to be an impactful player for the Tide.
He bulked up his body, improved his eye discipline, and is taking advice from Jordan Battle and DeMarcco Hellams. McKinstry has always wanted to play on a national championship team for the Tide, and this could be his season. He is competing with several players for a starting opportunity at cornerback, but having Travaris Robinson as his coach helps. Robinson played defensive back at Auburn and has coached at Auburn (twice), Florida, and South Carolina. The 40-year-old is well respected in the SEC as a coach and recruiter. McKinstry told reporters Robinson ‘has brought things to help him get better.’
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“He’s been good to the team,” McKinstry said of Robinson. “He’s brought things for other corners and safeties to get better. He has been good to us.”
McKinstry is excited about playing with an elite secondary, but he also received a cool NIL deal in the offseason.
His nickname is “Kool-Aid,” so it only right for the Kool-Aid brand to approach him.
It was a dream come true moment for McKinstry as he revealed Pink Lemonade as his favorite flavor. He and Terrion Arnold both came in Alabama’s 2021 class with dreams of playing football and basketball, but McKinstry now wants nothing but the gridiron.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
