'Kool-Aid' McKinstry Cashes In On His Nickname

TUSCALOOSA, AL — In a deal that most would consider a no-brainer, former Pinson Valley athlete and current University of Alabama football and basketball player Ga'Quincy "Kool-Aid" McKinstry has signed an endorsement deal with his namesake.

McKinstry and Kool-Aid announced the partnership Tuesday via Twitter, with the brand and the player swapping Twitter handles for the day.

"Honored to partner with Kool-Aid the Brand … I will be sharing the OH YEAH title with the Kool-Aid Man!" McKinstry posted on Twitter.

McKinstry is officially listed on the Crimson Tide's roster as Kool-Aid McKinstry, a name he has donned since he was a young player in Pinson.

The 6-foot-1, 190-pound true freshman is competing against Jalyn Armour-Davis for one of two starting jobs at cornerback for the Tide, and Alabama defensive coordinator Pete Golding said he likes what he has seen from McKInstry this far in fall practice.

"He’s got the length we want, he’s got short-area quickness, he can run, and he has top-end speed," Golding said in an interview with Touchdown Alabama magazine. "He plays offense, returns punts, he has ball skills. The most impressive thing about him in spring was he’ll come up and put his face on you. A lot of guys are hesitant, but he is more physical. He understands the game. He does process very well."

McKinstry also plans to play for Alabama's basketball team this season.