Kool-Aid McKinstry runs sub-4.5 second 40 with Jones fracture at Alabama Pro Day

Kool-Aid McKinstry was the main attraction of Wednesday’s Alabama Pro Day. After not participating in on-field drills at the NFL Combine, McKinstry worked out in front of scouts for the first time in the draft process. A lot was riding on his 40-yard dash time, potentially being the difference between a first or second-round selection.

In his first attempt, McKinstry silenced a lot of doubters and put up a great time. While Pro Days do not offer official times, SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic heard the number for McKinstry was 4.47. Other scouts had him a few ticks faster but overall, a good showing for the cornerback.

“Multiple scouts show a 40 in the 4.4’s for Kool-Aid McKinstry @AlabamaFTBL pro day,” Cubelic said via X.

Kool-Aid McKinstry runs the 40.

⬇️ A 4.47, per the SEC Network. pic.twitter.com/Eh7EW6RuZl

— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) March 20, 2024

McKinstry was doing all of this with a Jones fracture in his foot. That’s what kept him from participating in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. He was healthy enough to run and do a few drills on his Pro Day before getting surgery on Friday per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.

“He said the plan is to have surgery at some point down the road,” Cubelic said via SEC Network before McKinstry ran. “But he does want to run today. Said he went a couple of months in spring on this injury, didn’t know about it. Kept playing through it. That’s one of the things, I think, should be pointed out with Kool-Aid McKinstry, his toughness…

“Talking to staff members here, this man never missed a practice, never missed a weight room session. So, that’s another part of his game, personality that should be taken into account.”

Despite the injury and surgery, McKinstry is expected to be healthy for the beginning of rookie camp.

Kool-Aid McKinstry potentially runs himself into first-round

ESPN draft expert Jordan Reid was in the SEC Network studio to give his reaction to McKinstry’s time, saying he could vault into the first round. NFL personnel were 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.”