Alabama cornerbacks Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold have officially declared their intention to enter the 2024 NFL draft, signaling the end of their collegiate careers with the Crimson Tide. McKinstry made the announcement through an Instagram post, while sources confirmed Arnold’s decision to ESPN.
During the recently concluded season, McKinstry and Arnold established themselves as one of the premier cornerback duos in the country. Mel Kiper, an ESPN analyst, has ranked McKinstry as the third-best cornerback and Arnold as the fifth-best cornerback in the upcoming draft. Both players earned Associated Press first-team All-American honors, with Arnold leading the Crimson Tide in interceptions with five.
Joining McKinstry and Arnold in their NFL aspirations are linebackers Chris Braswell and Dallas Turner, along with offensive tackle JC Latham, all from the Alabama roster. Braswell revealed his decision on social media, expressing gratitude for achieving his goals at UA, including winning a national championship and earning his degree. He finished second on the team in sacks and is ranked by Kiper as the third-best outside linebacker in the draft.
Latham, a two-year starter at right tackle, expressed his gratitude to Coach Nick Saban and the coaching staff for their commitment to his development on and off the field. Kiper ranks Latham as the fourth-best offensive tackle. Turner, Kiper’s second-ranked outside linebacker, confirmed his decision to turn professional after the Rose Bowl loss to Michigan.
However, not all key players are departing from Alabama, as starting linebacker Deontae Lawson and starting safety Malachi Moore have informed coaches of their plans to return for the upcoming season. Lawson, who ranked second on the team in total tackles, and Moore, a versatile defensive back playing the “star” role in the secondary, aim to contribute to the Crimson Tide’s continued success.
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