Nick Saban’s retirement triggered a wave of players leaving Alabama. Many entered the draft, seeking fresh starts since they were unsure about the team’s future after Saban’s departure. Despite this, there’s no denying that Saban’s legacy remains strong. He won 6 national championships and 9 SEC titles during his 17 years with the Crimson Tide. Beyond these trophies, his coaching style also left a lasting impact on his players, even shaping their lives after his exit. 

As proof, look at Alabama’s cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry who are rising their star status on the 2024 NFL Draft radar. McKinstry, in particular, caught the eye of a CBS Sports analyst who showered him with praise. It even looks like a major boost for his draft stock in the coming days. 

Aaron Taylor praises Nick Saban’s cornerback

CBS Sports college football analyst Aaron Taylor is singing the praises of Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry, calling him the next standout from Saban’s program. “You look at the defensive ends and the cornerbacks Nick Saban’s turned out year after year after year. And Kool-Aid McKinstry’s gonna be the next great one” he said. 

Taylor describes McKinstry as a “pure coverage cornerback,” as he excels at “man-to-man coverage” at the defense. He’s good at sticking with his opponent, “getting into that hip pocket.” He further praised McKinstry’s “outstanding footwork” and movement. According to him, while McKinstry might not be the absolute fastest, he’s clever and can quickly recover if he gets out of position. “You love what he brings to the table,” Taylor said, boosting McKinstry’s profile right before the NFL Draft Day.

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Kool-Aid is one of the sought-after CBS in the NFL draft

Kool-Aid McKinstry’s flashy name definitely matches his talent quite a lot. The cornerback was a star for the Alabama Crimson Tide for the last three seasons. He is known for breaking up passes and earning All-American honors in the last two. McKinstry didn’t get to showcase his speed at the NFL Combine, but he blew everyone away at Alabama’s Pro Day with a blazing 4.46 40-yard dash time. Though he lacks an elite speed, his blocking technique is outstanding.

He’s also been considered one of the top five cornerbacks in this year’s draft. While names like Terrion Arnold and Nate Wiggins have been popular picks, McKinstry’s performance and the praise he’s received from analysts could boost him even higher. Interestingly, two of Nick Saban’s former players are the top cornerback prospects, showing the coach’s ability to develop defensive talent.