Alabama
Yes, Alabama has a star cornerback named Kool-Aid
PASADENA, Calif. — When Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back to pass in Monday’s Rose Bowl, he’ll likely find two of his receivers covered by future first-round NFL draft picks.
One is Terrion Arnold. The other is Kool-Aid McKinstry. Yes, Alabama has a cornerback named Kool-Aid.
To be clear, it’s not his given first name. That would be the similarly fun Ga’Quincy, which makes his full legal name a sort of rhyme. Except hardly anyone calls him that.
“I’ve known him since the ninth grade and I have to think about what his (real) first name is,” said Alabama defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.
Kool-Aid has stuck so hard that it’s how Alabama lists him on its official roster: Kool-Aid McKinstry, No. 1, the first name listed; a 6-foot-1, 195-pound junior defensive back from Birmingham, Alabama.
McKinstry was “born smiling” and thus earned the nickname from his grandmother, according to AL.com. For those unaware, the sugary drink of the same name has a mascot known for its big smile.
McKinstry said his mom calls him “G” at times, but everyone else in his life drinks the Kool-Aid.
He’s a heck of a football player. He was a first-team All-American this season for one of the country’s best defenses. If he enters the NFL draft this year, he’s projected as a first-round pick along with Arnold. ESPN’s four draft experts all have McKinstry among their top four cornerbacks.
“McKinstry has played in 40 games, collecting 21 pass breakups and picking off two passes,” writes one of those experts, Matt Miller. “He’s polished and battle tested, and he has solid all-around positional traits.”
Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who goes head to head with McKinstry in practice, cited his teammate’s athleticism.
Steele, the defensive coordinator, pointed to his competitiveness. “The other thing that separates him is he is very resilient. That’s critical at his position.” McKinstry might get beat once, but he bounces back. “He’s phenomenal at that,” Steele said. “And he’s got ice water in his veins.”
Some teams have shied away from McKinstry this season, but Arnold has held up when tested. As an alternative, Michigan might deploy tight end Colston Loveland even more than usual in Monday’s playoff semifinal game.
Alabama
Vigor offensive lineman and Alabama commit Micah Dubose is transferring to Theodore for senior season
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – Four-star offensive lineman Micah Dubose is transferring from Vigor to Theodore for his senior season, Theodore Bobcats Head Coach Steve Mask confirms to FOX10.
The announcement comes just two weeks after Vigor announced it was relieving Markus Cook of his duties as head coach.
Mask says the decision to move was based on Micah’s education and the Alabama commit plans to graduate in December.
Dubose is considered one of the top players in Alabama in the 2025 class, being named first team all-state by the Alabama Sports Writers Association in back-to-back seasons.
Dubose committed to Kalen DeBoer and the Tide while on his official visit in Tuscaloosa over the weekend.
Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.
DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) – After a below average yield in 2023, peanut farmers across Alabama are hoping for a more productive 2024.
Dry weather made for a challenging crop but so far this year, Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture Rick Pate said things are on pace for at least an average year.
“Last year was kind of a struggle for a lot of our farmers, especially in the west side of the state. We had a drought that lasted so long so production was way down,” said Commissioner Pate. “We are hoping to get just an average yield this year and so far, so good.”
Even with a proclaimed below average year, the state of Alabama still produced 480 million pounds of peanuts with Houston, Geneva and Henry County being among the top four producers for the state.
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Copyright 2024 WTVY. All rights reserved.
Alabama 4-star offensive line commit Micah DeBose has transferred from Vigor to Theodore for his final season.
Bobcats’ head coach Steve Mask confirmed the news to AL.com on Thursday. Mask said DeBose enrolled earlier this week.
“This was an educational decision for Micah and his family,” Mask said.
Both Vigor and Theodore are Mobile County Public Schools.
DeBose told AL.com on Sunday that he plans to graduate in December.
The one-time Georgia commit committed to Kalen DeBoer and Alabama during his official visit to Tuscaloosa on Saturday night. He told AL.com on his way back home Sunday that his recruitment was officially shut down.
“It was really their plan for how they are going to get me acclimated to college – that whole process. That was the difference,” DeBose said of why he decided to commit to Alabama.
DeBose announced his commitment in front of a room full of recruits and their families, Alabama coaches and some player hosts in Tuscaloosa.
He is the 8th-ranked senior recruit in the state, according to the 247 composite rankings, and the 8th-ranked player at his position in the nation. He joins Southside-Selma WR Derrick Smith, Carver-Montgomery RB Anthony Rogers and Saraland DL Antonio Coleman as top 20 in-state players in the Class of 2025 committed to the Tide.
Former Vigor coach Markus Cook said they sky is the limit for DeBose moving forward.
“He can be as good as he wants to be,” Cook said. “As long as he keeps God first, commits to the weight room and pursues excellence every day then the sky is the limit. Micah can be as Micah wants to be.”
DeBose goes from the Class 5A, Region 1 race at Vigor into the tough Class 6A, Region 1 race with Theodore. The Bobcats open the season against Baker on Aug. 23.
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