Clad in Chanel, Prada, two watches and two necklaces, Ga’Quincy ‘Kool-Aid’ McKinstry settled in for his NFL Draft party last Thursday night. Surrounded by friends and family, McKinstry was set for a phone call to change his life. He would have to wait one more night, though.

McKinstry returned to the Club M Event Center and Compound on Friday, testing his ringtone. He watched eight picks go by in the second round before New Orleans Saints assistant general manager and college scouting director Jeff Ireland buzzed him. McKinstry picked up on the first ring.

“Alright, it’s been a long wait hasn’t it,” Ireland told him before passing the phone off to head coach Dennis Allen.

“Let me ask you a question,” Allen said, “are you ready to come be a New Orleans Saint?”

A dream was realized for McKinstry last weekend. Watch as it happened in the season finale of “Road to the Pros.” AL.com’s Emmy-winning series presented McKinstry’s career in the lead-up to the 2024 NFL Draft, from the origins of his nickname to how McKinstry became a lockdown cornerback for Nick Saban at Alabama. The cameras stayed rolling as McKinstry went 41st overall.

“Because of the style they play on defense. It’s kinda similar to the way we play at Alabama. Fast and physical. They play a lot of man(coverage). That’s what I like to play. I think it’s a great fit,” McKinstry said.

Watch McKinstry finish his draft journey and react to his teammates getting drafted in the first round. Then, follow McKinstry and his family as they react to the news, including the moment McKinstry realizes his family and support system will only be a five-hour car ride away.

“Remember that ninth grade Kool-Aid. Remember what that guy, what his dreams were. Don’t let anybody get in your way,” his former high school coach Patrick Nix said. ” … Keep being you.”

The series ran weekly on AL.com’s YouTube channel. It was directed by Clay Yeager and produced by Yeager, Laura Goldman and Wesley Sinor.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].