Clemson’s recruiting prowess nationally has been well documented as the Tigers routinely have landed the best players right out of the backyards of other top five programs. That recruiting strength, however, will be severely tested as the Tigers recruit 5-star CB Ga’Quincy McKinstry (6-0 172) of Pinson, AL. Alabama and Auburn are all over the home grown talent. Plus, his new coach is former Alabama and NFL star DB Sam Shade. The odds for Clemson winning this recruiting battle appear long, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers are giving up the fight.
“I talk to Coach (Mike) Reed and Coach (Todd) Bates the most. They just tell me how they can use me and that I’m a top priority,” McKinstry said. “The facilities look good and are new, and the staff is well put together and have been together for a while.”
McKinstry has visited Clemson twice, the last visit coming in March of 2019. He’s also checked out several of his other offers, including Alabama, Auburn and LSU. Alabama received the most recent visit for a junior day in late January.
“I just want to go somewhere I feel home,” McKinstry said. “I’m going where I feel is the best for me.”
That place will be where he feels his skills can best fit in. And McKinstry knows what he’s looking for in a defensive scheme.
“Of course. Press man,” he said. “I’m very athletic, have good technique and great ball skills, and I can improve on my feet.”
McKinstry has not yet narrowed his list of over 40 offers to a focus group. He continues to receive offers with some of the most recent being Texas, Oregon State, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Southern Cal, Louisville, Florida State and Ole Miss which also offered him for basketball.
McKinstry is ranked by the 247Sports composite as the #18 prospect in the country, the #2 cornerback in the country and the #1 prospect in Alabama.
