“Caleb did an excellent job this weekend. I believe he stepped into the role and performed admirably, scoring a touchdown.”
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Kool-Aid McKinstry doesn’t appear to be bothered by the possibility of losing his punt-return duties last weekend.
“I’m just here for the team,” McKinstry explained on Tuesday. “Whenever my number is called, I’ll step up.”
McKinstry, Alabama’s junior cornerback, had been the team’s starting punt returner the previous two seasons. He was replaced by true freshman safety Caleb Downs in last weekend’s 66-10 triumph over Chattanooga.
Downs returned his third punt 85 yards for a touchdown after a couple of shaky fair receptions. He eventually returned two punts for a total of 90 yards. He also fair caught two punts, let two others to go for touchbacks, and did not return another because it was only 39 yards to middle.
“Caleb did a good job this weekend,” McKinstry said Tuesday. “I believe he stepped into the role and performed admirably, scoring a touchdown.” He went out there and performed admirably for the squad.”
McKinstry was named an All-American last season for his punt-return abilities. While he never returned a punt for a score, he had the second-best average in the country at 15.86 yards per return.
He’s struggled this season, averaging only 6.14 yards on 14 punt returns. Furthermore, McKinstry has twice muffed punts that directly resulted in points for the opposition: last week against Kentucky, which resulted in a touchdown, and in Week 3 against South Florida, which resulted in a field goal.
A fumble against Chattanooga, a 7-yard loss on a return against Tennessee, another muff against Texas A&M, a 4-yard loss and fumble against Mississippi State, and a 6-yard loss against Texas are just the beginning.
Alabama coach Nick Saban described McKinstry’s lack of confidence after the game last Saturday.
“Sometimes, when you’re in that position, confidence is really, really important,” he remarked at the time, “and we have to get his confidence back.”
Isaiah Bond was the only other player to return a punt this season, returning one for one yard against Middle Tennessee in Week 1.
Dixon has been for over a year and with his arrival on campus set for just under a month away, he tells Bama247 he’s just “ready to get there.”
“I’m just ready to get to Alabama and pretty much dominate,” Dixon added. “It means a lot because I’m from Alabama and I just want to win and bring them another national championship. That’s what it’s all about. Bringing in guys like Jaylen Mbakwe and Julian Sayin is special. I just need to get to work and give the team my all.”
The next couple of weeks will be all about preparing for his arrival, Dixon told Bama247. He’s dealt with a shoulder injury for much of his senior season and will have surgery later this month. He told Bama247 he is uncertain if it will be in his hometown of Mobile or with the team. Dixon says it should not be a long recovery, but this is the time to do it.
