Five things to know about Kool-Aid McKinstry

From being an All-American to the meaning behind the name ‘Kool-Aid,’ here’s everything you need to know about the Saints newest corner.

The New Orleans Saints made their inevitable trade up at the beginning of the second round, jumping from 45 to 41 to select Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB from Alabama.

Here are five things to know about the Saints new cornerback:

1. He’s coming off a foot injury

When Kool-Aid McKinstry showed up to the NFL Combine, he, like everyone else, had to go through medical exams, and the found he had a Jones fracture in his right foot.

He didn’t miss a single game this season, so it’s unclear exactly when this injury happened, but it’s expected that he will be a full go for training camp.

2. He was an All-American in 2023 and 2022

In 2023, McKinstry was named a first-team All-American by every major outlet in the country and was also named a second or third team All-American by the AFCA, The Sporting News, CBS Sports and the Associated Press in 2022.

In 2022, McKinstry allowed just 37 of his 80 targets to be caught (46.3%) for 352 yards and one touchdown while breaking up 16 (!) passes and one hauling in one interception. For reference, the NFL leader in PBU’s this season was Chavarius Ward with 17, and that’s in 20 games compared to 13.

His 2023 season was just as good. He was targeted just 39 times, and when he was, he allowed only 19 catches (48.7%) for 205 yards and one touchdown while breaking up four passes.

If it weren’t for the foot injury, he probably would’ve been a first-round pick.

3. He’s not a ballhawk, but he’s lockdown

As you could probably tell by the recent section, McKinstry isn’t known as being a ballhawk. In his three-year career that included 1,200+ coverage snaps, McKinstry totaled just two interceptions.

I know that’s all a lot of people care about, and while picks are always nice, allowing a sub-50% completion percentage is even better in my opinion.

4. Nick Saban loves him

Former Alabama Head Coach Nick Saban loves Kool-Aid McKinstry. He recruited and coached him for three seasons and watched him grown into an All-American and lockdown corner he could leave on an island.

Here’s what Saban had to say after the pick came in:

“This is a guy who has great intuition and Instincts. He understands offense and is really a a fast reactor in the secondary. I thought he ran a fast enough time, thought it might move him up the charts with the way he played. He’s a good punt returner as well. I just love this guy, he’s really smart and instinctive and I think that’s why he’s gonna be a really, really good player and he’s probably more ready to play than anybody else.”

5. His real name isn’t Kool-Aid

Unfortunately, Ga’Quincey ‘Kool-Aid’ McKinstry isn’t actually named Kool-Aid, but there’s a unique story behind it. As a kid, his grandmother thought his smile looked like the Kool-Aid man’s, so she dubbed him Kool-Aid.

“I told his mom, ‘Look at this boy with this big Kool-Aid smile on his face.’