By John Goolsby, Prep Sports Editor
December 7, 2018 was the last time Bo Nix and Kool-Aid McKinstry played on the same field together.
The pair helped Pinson Valley defeat Saraland 26-17 in Jordan-Hare Stadium to claim the Indians’ second consecutive 6A championship.
In that game, Nix put up 372 total yards and four touchdowns.
Nix would go on to become Mr. Football in the state of Alabama and be named an Under Armour All-American before playing three years at Auburn.
McKinstry, a sophomore in 2018, was named first-team All-State. He would get another state championship in 2020, be named Mr. Football, and become an Under Armour All-American, too, before heading to Tuscaloosa.
The two nearly had a reunion at the Iron Bowl in 2021. However, Nix could not play in the game after suffering a season-ending injury versus Mississippi State.
McKinstry, a true freshman for Alabama, recorded two solo tackles against Nix’s Tigers.
Nix left for the University of Oregon the following year, and McKinstry became an All-American cornerback for Coach Nick Saban.
Nix found a home in Eugene and put up big numbers as the Ducks’ signal caller in 2022 and 2023.
Nix ended his college career with 15,352 passing yards, 113 touchdown passes, and only 26 interceptions.
McKinstry, who declared for the NFL draft last week, ended his career with 93 total tackles, two interceptions, and 23 pass deflections.
McKinstry is considered the highest-rated cornerback in the 2024 NFL draft and a potential top-ten pick.
Nix, the sixth-ranked quarterback and 47th overall prospect, is considered a solid quarterback with an NFL-caliber arm. He is projected to go as high as the middle to late first round.
Come February 3, the two Pinson alumni may find themselves on the same team again for the first time in over five years at the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile.
Nix has already accepted an invitation to play in the all-star game.
McKinstry, expected to receive an invitation, is eligible to play in the premier all-star game after the Senior Bowl announced in November that juniors would be eligible to participate.