Alabama, Auburn rivalry heating up in battle for elite 5-star corner Ga’Quincy McKinstry

The Iron Bowl rivalry runs deep, and both Alabama and Auburn are in the mix for five-star defensive back Ga’Quincy McKinstry.

Despite a self-imposed recruiting dead period thanks to he COVID-19 pandemic, rumors on the trail are as hot as ever, with Ga’Quincy McKinstry the latest five-star target from the class of 2021 to choose sides.

McKinstry is a two-sport athlete from Pinson, Alabama. Unsurprisingly he has both the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers listed among his top-five with Georgia, Clemson and LSU, setting up one heck of a battle for the Pinson Valley product.

The 5-foot-11.5, 172-pound cornerback is the nation’s No. 22 overall recruit, No. 2 cornerback and the No. 1 recruit in the state of Alabama, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He’s doubled as a wide receiver which is clear when evaluating the ball skills and instincts he demonstrates on defense.

Also an accomplished basketball player, McKinstry has great change of direction and the hips to make athletic plays in space. McKinstry has been compared to former Washington cornerback and Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters by 247Sports’ Charles Power.

Alabama could certainly use the boost in their Class of 2021 rankings. Alabama is used to finishing with the top class or one of the top classes but has the No. 46 class in the country per 247Sports. That’s not a spot Nick Saban is accustomed to being in, and if the Tide wants to keep up with the Clemson’s and Ohio State’s of the world (all currently top-five), the addition of McKinstry would play a major role in doing so.

Losing such an impact performer to their rival is another step back entirely, and Gus Malzahn must be excited about the potential of securing a commitment from McKinstry and what he would mean for the future of the Tigers. Recruiting predictions have a 50-50 battle brewing for the five-star defensive back.

Both schools have made a habit of landing top talent from out-of-state, but securing the top player in Alabama sends a message to the other. In what’s set up to be a two-team race, don’t be surprised if the end result reverberates not just across Tuscaloosa and the Plains, but provides momentum for either side months ahead of the December Signing Day.

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