A marquee season is in store for Alabama's defensive back, Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry.

Now a junior, McKinstry looks at the possibility of becoming a top 10 pick for next year's NFL Draft. He took a leap between his freshman and sophomore seasons, posting a team-high 15 pass breakups in 2022. McKinstry recorded an interception and showed versatility as a punt returner. The Birmingham (Ala.) native is back as one of the leaders on defense for Alabama.

RELATED: Kool-Aid McKinstry training everywhere to be ready for junior season

McKinstry earned a spot Thursday on the Jim Thorpe Award preseason watch list.

Thorpe is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, and the Thorpe Award goes to the nation's top defensive back in college football. The honor is voted on by the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and sponsored by Paycom.

RELATED: Kool-Aid McKinstry chastises elite HS players not giving max effort in fiery speech

Alabama's had two players win the Thorpe Award since 1986.

Thorpe Award ▶️ Top Defensive Back@GaQMcK1 https://t.co/99f3rZEw75 pic.twitter.com/yd6fk57C1G

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) August 10, 2023

Antonio Langham captured the honor in 1993 and Minkah Fitzpatrick got it in 2017.

McKinstry is a preseason candidate for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy as well.

He is looking forward to shutting down wide receivers in the fall.

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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.