One of the ways Alabama football is preparing for the 2023 college football season is by focusing on replacing the impact players from last season that are no longer with the program. Some of the players that are expected to step up include edge rusher Dallas Turner and defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Both Turner and McKinstry were recently chosen as possible top prospects at their respective positions for the distant 2024 NFL draft
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller shared his picks for the top draft-eligible players at every position.
For edge rushers, it was between Turner and Jared Verse of Florida State. In the end, Miller chose Turner.
“The edge rusher debate is a tale of two stories: potential vs. known product. First, we have Turner, a five-star recruit out of high school who has started just 10 games on a loaded Alabama team. But in that time, he has produced 12.5 sacks and 60 pressures, and scouts and coaches believe the best is still to come, once he takes over Will Anderson Jr.’s place in the lineup. I really like his first-step quickness.”
Miller also quoted one NFL scouting director, who reportedly said that Turner will get some player comparisons to former Penn State standout, Micah Parsons.
As for cornerback, Miller chose McKinstry over Penn State’s Kalen King.
“McKinstry doesn’t just have the best nickname in college football — he might also be the best cover man in the sport. In 2022, he one-upped King by allowing a QBR of 13.2 — ninth in the nation among DBs who saw at least 50 targets. He hauled in one interception and broke up 14 passes. At 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, he has the length that teams love to go along with topflight speed.”
Furthermore, One AFC scout reportedly said “McKinstry is the dude.”
Both Turner and McKinstry are expected to have strong seasons, which is not only necessary to help their expected draft profiles, but Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide will need their talents and leadership to win.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2023 offseason begins to wind down.
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