By Joshua Huff, sports editor
The ESPN football recruiting 2021 high school player rankings were unveiled recently and a couple of local players have found their way into the list of the top 300 best players in the nation.
Cracking the top 40 is Pinson Valley junior defensive back/wide receiver Ga’Quincy McKinstry.
McKinstry concluded his junior year with 47 receptions for 700 yards with 12 touchdowns. Additionally, he helped anchor an Indians’ defense that pitched three shutouts, limited four opponents to seven points or less and held 10 opponents to less than 14 points per game. McKinstry was named as a Class 6A First Team All-State Alabama defensive back honoree this season, which was his second consecutive all-state nod.
The two-sport star recently announced that he will participate in the 2021 Under Armour All-America game.
He remains uncommitted, but has dozens of Power 5 offers.
Following in the wake of McKinstry is Hewitt-Trussville junior running back Armoni Goodwin. He sits at No. 85 in the country.
The 5-foot-8, 175-pound speedster wreaked havoc in his three games played this past season — the junior was lost for the year after he injured his leg against Oak Mountain on a two-point conversion attempt. In his three games, Goodwin recorded 485 yards on 52 carries with a team-high 10 touchdowns.
Goodwin is currently committed to Auburn.