Alabama football: 5 blue-chip recruits most likely to sign with Crimson Tide

Ga’Quincy McKinstry would be a key in-state win for Alabama football recruiting.

Alabama hasn’t entirely forgotten about the secondary to this point in terms of the commits they already have locked up but the Crimson Tide don’t boast the top-end recruits in that area of the defense that they do in other places. Safety Kaine Williams and cornerback Devonta Smith (no, seriously) are locked up but both are outside of the top 150 in the 247Sports Composite rankings.

That, to me, makes it all the more likely that the program is able to bring in one of the best in-state talents available, cornerback Ga’Quincy McKinstry. The five-star prospect and No. 2 recruit at the position in the country have the makings of the next star defensive back to pass through the hallowed grounds in Tuscaloosa known as Bryant-Denny Stadium.

McKinstry, measuring in at 5-foot-11.5 and 172 pounds, isn’t going to wow anyone right now with straight-line speed. However, he’s a phenomenal athlete with a complete profile in that regard. He’s a state championship-winning basketball standout in addition to playing both cornerback and wide receiver at Pinson Valley. That versatility shows up with his secondary skill-set as he’s a turnover in the making whenever he’s in coverage.

With elite ball skills for his age and a terrific feel for the position, McKinstry has the upside to be one of the best cornerbacks in college football and a player who puts up a high interception number for Alabama. While virtually every heavy-hitting Power 5 team is interested, it’s hard to imagine primary recruiter Karl Scott lets the best recruit in the state get away from him.