On3 5-Star Countdown: No. 17, Alabama CB signee Zay Mincey

On3 has released its final recruiting ranking for the 2024 class after the completion of the high school football season and all-star competitions. Daytona Beach (Fla.) Mainland cornerback and Alabama signee Zay Mincey is a new five-star and the No. 17 overall prospect in the 2024 On300.

The latest edition of On3’s 2024 rankings features 32 five-star players, up from 21 in the penultimate update in November. Of those 32 prospects, 29 are signed to college programs, with three still yet to make their decisions official.

This final update comes after the end of the high school playoffs and postseason All-American games, where top prospects across the country faced off in a week of practices and ended with nationally televised games.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Mincey committed to Alabama at the All-American Bowl, choosing the Crimson Tide over Florida State and Florida.

“Alabama has always been one of his top schools,” Mincey’s mother, Jenece Giddens, told BOL. “He always thought about it. It was really between Alabama and Miami. We love the relationship that we have with Miami. Their coaches down there are absolutely amazing. Alabama’s coaches are also amazing.

“But when you think about going to that next level to get you to where you want to go to, the NFL… Alabama is it. Alabama has the ‘it’ factor.”

Mincey is one of four members of Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class ranked as a five-star in the final On300.

Zay Mincey Scouting Summary

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power writes this about Mincey as a prospect:

“Tall, athletic and versatile defensive back with signs that point to a high developmental upside. Measured at over 6-foot-2.5 and around 180 pounds prior to his senior season. Has plus length with a wing-span over 6-foot-7. Primarily lines up at corner for his high school team. Shows good coverage instincts. Undercuts routes to make plays on the ball. Runs well in coverage and stays attached on vertical routes. Can flip his hips as a taller defensive back.

“Uses his length to disrupt receivers at the line of scrimmage and make plays on the ball. Can track and locate the football over his shoulder. A three-sport athlete. Backs up his athleticism in track and field with a 6-4 high jump and 43-foot triple jump. Also plays basketball for a team that made a deep playoff run. Needs to continue adding strength and can improve his tackling. While widely viewed as a safety, could feasibly play as a bump and run cornerback in certain schemes.”