Kool-Aid McKinstry, an Alabama cornerback, was so highly desired by the New Orleans Saints that they traded up from 45th to 41st overall to secure the pick. To make the transaction, the coughed up two more fifth- and sixth-round picks.
McKinstry was recruited by legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban, who has been his coach for the last three seasons. Over the previous two seasons, he was among Saban’s best cornerbacks and defensive players overall. After retiring, Saban inked a TV contract with ESPN, and this weekend, ABC will broadcast his coverage of the NFL Draft. Here are his comments regarding the Saints’ selection during live action.
This is another man with excellent instincts and football intuition. He really does grasp what offense is. a secondary quick reactor. I believed that his play and his respectable time of 4.47 would propel him up the charts. He’s also an effective punt returner. This man is very smart and intuitive, and I think it makes him a really brilliant player who is probably more prepared to play than anyone else. I simply adore him.
It’s easy to assume that Saban loves his own player a lot. Which he obviously is, so why would he disparage the player with whom he has developed a bond and relationship over the course of the previous four or more years? It’s not so much the enthusiasm per such, but rather how ebullient he was about McKinstry.
The NFL currently features several outstanding cornerbacks from Alabama, the most well-known of whom being Patrick Surtain II, Marlon Humphrey, and Trevon Diggs. Terrion Arnold, the 22nd overall selection, and McKinstry both have the opportunity to join the elite group of Alabama defensive backs in the NFL.