Kool-Aid McKinstry offers injury update on his foot

Alabama star Kool-Aid McKinstry stunned on Wednesday at the school’s Pro Day by clocking a sub-4.5 40-yard dash and doing so with a Jones fracture in his foot. After not participating in on-field drills at the NFL Combine, it was an opportunity for McKinstry to work out in front of scouts for the first time in the draft process. 

“It was very important for me to come out here and compete today, just to give my all and show what I’ve got,” McKinstry told reporters after his workout. “That’s what this is for. I know it was just tough for me, just the news I found out at the Combine, but I was still able to show what I’ve got and I feel good about it.”

The former Crimson Tide cornerback discovered his foot fracture last month when the NFL Scouting Combine doctors ran tests. A fracture on the outside of his foot sounds painful, but according to him, he’s barely registering any uncomfortability.

“My foot (feels) well, my foot really don’t hurt me at all to be honest with you guys,” McKinstry said. “Having surgery Friday to get it fixed. It’ll be like a month of letting it heal, then it’ll be alright.”

Despite the injury and his upcoming surgery, McKinstry is expected to be healthy for the beginning of rookie camp in May. All that’s left now is to determine which rookie minicamp he’ll participate in once he hears his name called next month.

McKinstry potentially runs himself into first-round consideration

ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid was in the SEC Network studio to give his reaction to McKinstry’s 40-yard time, saying he could vault into the first round at next month’s draft. NFL personnel were reportedly worried McKinstry would have a slower number but breaking 4.5 will help his draft stock in a big way.

“Excellent, a really good number,” Reid said. “Welcome to the first round, Kool-Aid McKinstry. That’s a really good number for him. There were some scouts who were worried that he would run in the low to mid 4.5s based on what they saw on tape. But him checking that box of running in the 4.4s is absolutely a huge number for Kool-Aid.”

This season for Alabama, the former five-star prospect recorded 32 tackles with 24 solo tackles and seven passes defensed. In his three years as a defensive contributor, he racked up 93 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions. He had five tackles in the overtime loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.