Kool-Aid McKinstry was the fourth Alabama player selected in the 2024 NFL draft, but his former head coach said he could get on the field quicker than most at the next level.

McKinstry, the All-America cornerback from Pinson Valley, went with the No. 41 overall pick to the New Orleans Saints on Friday night. He was widely projected to be drafted in Thursday’s first round, but wound up slipping to the second.

“This is another guy that has great football intuition, great instincts,” Saban said on ABC’s draft coverage. “He understands offense, understands pattern-match, really a fast reactor in the secondary. He ran a good enough (40-yard dash) time. I thought it would move up the (draft) charts the way he played. He’s a good punt-returner as well.

“I just love this guy. He’s really smart and instinctive and I think that’s why he’s going to be a really, really good player, and probably more ready to play than anybody else.”

The 6-foot, 180-pound McKinstry was a five-star recruit in Alabama’s 2021 signing class. He was a part-time starter as a true freshman, then started every game in both 2022 and 2023.

McKinstry was a two-time All-SEC pick and a first-team All-American in 2023. He totaled 93 tackles, 23 pass breakups and two interceptions in his college career, and also averaged 11.9 yards on punt returns.

McKinstry was the fourth Alabama player selected in the 2024 draft after three were taken in the first round. Offensive tackle JC Latham went No. 9 overall to the Tennessee Titans, followed by linebacker Dallas Turner at No. 17 to the Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Terrion Arnold at No. 25 to the Detroit Lions.