Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry named to Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list
The Walter Camp Award announced its preseason watch list on Friday, continuing two weeks of watch list reveals, and one of the top overall players on Alabama’s 2023 roster made the cut.
Crimson Tide cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was among the 45 players named to the Walter Camp Award watch list. Around since 1967, the award is presented to the most outstanding player in all of college football who has exemplified the qualities of self-discipline, unselfish team play, desire to excel, mature judgment and respect for leadership. It is voted on by the nation’s 131 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and their sports information directors.
McKinstry stepped into a full-time role as a starter in 2022 and was Alabama’s most consistent cornerback in a season where four different players logged first-team minutes. In addition to shutting down opposing receivers, he was also one of the nation’s top punt returners, finishing second in yards per return (15.86). He earned second-team All-American recognition as both a corner and return man. With several starters leaving the secondary, McKinstry will be called on to not only continue to play at an elite level but also lead the bevy of new guys.
The Crimson Tide has seen three of its players take home Walter Camp Player of the Year honors, including Derrick Henry (2015), Tua Tagovailoa (2018) and DeVonta Smith (2020).
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This marks the fourth watch list for McKinstry prior to the 2023 season, in addition to also being recognized by Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award.
Alabama players, coaches on preseason watch lists:
Lott IMPACT Trophy – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Malachi Moore
Dodd Trophy – Nick Saban
Maxwell Award – Jase McClellan
Patrick Mannelly Award – Kneeland Hibbett
Outland Trophy – Tyler Booker, JC Latham, Jaheim Oatis
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Malachi Moore, Dallas Turner
Lou Groza Award – Will Reichard
Wuerffel Trophy – Malachi Moore
John Mackey Award – CJ Dippre
Rimington Trophy – Seth McLaughlin
Butkus Award – Deontae Lawson
Jim Thorpe Award – Kool-Aid McKinstry
Walter Camp Player of the Year – Kool-Aid McKinstry
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