Kool-Aid McKinstry reveals what he learned in Year 1, where he wants to improve

Kool-Aid McKinstry is entering into his second season with the Alabama Crimson Tide. And during a recent press conference, the Alabama cornerback revealed what he learned in his first year and where he wants to improve.

“I feel like the opportunities that I did get as a freshman were very big. And it’s going to help me going into my sophomore year by being more confident and knowing what I’m doing because I’ve already been out there,” said McKinstry.

Last season, McKinstry did not start out as a starter. Alabama was supposed to have veterans Jalyn Armour-Davis and Josh Jobe as its two starters at that position. The two did combine for 22 starts, but by the time the national title game rolled around, both were out with injuries. That development forced McKinstry and Khyree Jackson into starting roles.

McKinstry played 479 snaps on defense in 11 games with six starts. He finished the season with 26 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, an interception, and one pass breakup. McKinstry was one of a handful of freshmen to star and start in a national title game for Alabama.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the On3 YouTube channel today for all of the latest news on college football, recruiting, NIL, more!

Coming into his sophomore season, McKinstry does have a few things he wants to work on in his game

“I want to work on being more comfortable in what I’m doing and working on my press technique making sure that I’m doing everything right. I know the full details, and I’m fitting straight into the scheme.”

Kool-Aid McKinstry was a five-star recruit coming out of high school back in 2021. Per the On3 Consensus, he was the No. 17 overall player nationally, top cornerback and top player from that state of Alabama. He chose the Crimson Tide over LSU, Auburn and several others.

Currently, he is competing with Jackson and LSU transfer Eli Ricks for two starting jobs.

McKinstry explains the impact of Travaris Robinson at Alabama

Travaris Robinson, who starred at Auburn before a brief NFL career, is now the Crimson Tide’s cornerbacks coach after a year as the defensive backs coach at Miami. As training camp gets underway, McKinstry said Robinson is settling in well as a part of Nick Saban’s staff and making an impact on other positions, too.

“We’ve been good, working with Coach Robinson,” McKinstry said. “He’s brought things to me that helped me get better and other corners, as well. The safeties and other position groups, even on special teams, Coach Robinson has been good to us as a team.”