When Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry was inquired Thursday which player he considers ought to be on the cover on EA Sports’ modern college football video amusement, his reply appeared how profoundly he considers of Ohio State’s most current security.
“I certainly think (the cover competitor ought to be) between Caleb Downs and Jalen Milroe,” said McKinstry, an All-American cornerback at Alabama who can be a first-round choose within the 2024 NFL draft.
Whereas McKinstry played at Alabama for three a long time with Milroe, Alabama’s returning starter at quarterback, he played with Downs for as it were one year some time recently McKinstry entered the NFL draft and Downs exchanged to Ohio State. But Downs made an prompt impression on McKinstry in 2023 indeed in spite of the fact that McKinstry had as of now set up himself as one of the leading protective backs in college football.
“When he was a first year recruit, it was like he had as of now been there three years,” McKinstry said amid his meet session at the NFL Scouting Combine. “He caught on how to do everything, he caught on his body, he caught on how to play, he caught on coaching. Ohio State, I feel is getting a incredible player, and I’m exceptionally energized for Caleb.”
McKinstry was distant from the as it were part of Alabama’s auxiliary who Downs awed instantly. Individual Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold, who is additionally respected as a potential first-round choose in this year’s NFL draft, was struck by Downs’ certainty in himself as before long as the five-star enlist arrived in Tuscaloosa final year.
“He’s one of my best friends,” Arnold said of Downs. “Very tall football IQ. And truly, confirmation to the guy’s character; when he to begin with came to Alabama, we had a entirety room, they said, ‘Give us something you’re gonna finish whereas you’re here.’ Caleb strolled up there, he said, ‘I’m gonna be the finest security to ever come through here.’ So that fair appears you the sort of fellow he is off the divider. He works difficult, he’s a extraordinary individual, he’s my brother.”
Jaylen Key, who begun nearby Downs at security final season, anticipated that Downs will be a future top-five NFL draft choose.
“He’s a fellow that’s likely generational,” Key said. “His development level is through the roof. He’s more develop than a part of sophomores, youngsters, likely seniors I’ve seen all through my entirety career. He’s a canine, and rationally, he’s as of now arranged to be within the NFL.”
Key said he was inspired by Downs’ arrangement amid their year playing together.
“The way he took care of his body, week in and week out. The way he went in to think about the playbook and made beyond any doubt he knew what to do on Saturdays, and it was totally distinctive from any first year recruit I’d ever seen,” Key said.
On the field, Key says Downs is speedy to analyze plays and brings incredible escalated to the diversion.
“He’s certainly a skittish player that’s progressing to trigger on things some time recently a part of folks indeed see it,” Key said. “He’s able to come down within the run fit beautiful quick. He can cover. He’s not anxious of anything … He plays exceptionally physical. He comes downhill. When he makes contact, it’s aiming to be a pop. He makes plays all over the field.”
Indeed in spite of the fact that he will presently be wearing red rather than blood red for the rest of his college career, all three Alabama protective backs at the combine said they’ll still be establishing for Downs at Ohio State and past.
“That’s my brother for life, so wherever he is, I’m establishing for him,” Key said. “He ought to be a top-five draft choose in a few of a long time. So I’ll root for him wherever he goes.”
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