#9 Donovan McIntosh — By all accounts, freshman cornerback Donovan McIntosh (9) remains in contention for a spot in the two-deep backing up either Jacob Parrish or Keenan Garber. If so, it will be the first actual playing time of his young career. | Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In which BracketCat counts down the ninth day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State cornerback Donovan McIntosh.

Goal No. 9: ELIMINATE MISTAKES. Don’t beat yourself.

#9 Donovan McIntosh

Redshirt Freshman | 6-3 | 190 lbs. | St. Louis, Missouri

Position: Cornerback
Previous College: None
Projection: Co-Second-String
Status: On Scholarship

Donovan McIntosh (b. Sept. 16, 2004) is a speedy defensive back from St. Mary’s High School in Saint Louis who is majoring in sports nutrition. He excels in both zone and man.

McIntosh redshirted and did not play in 2023, but he enters 2024 in contention for a backup cornerback position behind Jacob Parrish and Keenan Garber, and alongside Justice James.

McIntosh prepped under head coach Ken Turner at St. Mary’s, where he was regarded as the 42nd-best cornerback in the Class of 2023 by On3 in addition to the 10th-best overall prospect in the state of Missouri.

He was a first-team all-state honoree as a senior from the Missouri Football Coaches Association after helping to lead the Dragons to a second straight state championship.

McIntosh committed to K-State over offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Ball State, Buffalo, Kansas, Lindenwood, Memphis, Miami (Ohio), Murray State, Nebraska, New Mexico State, North Alabama and Western Michigan, as well as interest from Cincinnati and Iowa.

His primary recruiter was assistant head coach and defensive passing game coordinator Van Malone, who now is his position coach.

McIntosh’s cousin, Lawrence Johnson, was a safety at Southeast Missouri State University.

Here’s 247Sports’ candid assessment of McIntosh’s potential at the Big 12 Conference level:

Has the desired height and length to play Power Five football in the secondary. Plays corner in high school and has shown man-to-man ability but frame suggests safety can also be a possibility. Has good change of direction and shows he can flip his hips and run with receivers. Long strider who has enough speed to play outside corner but can still get faster and more explosive. Also needs to add some weight and strength. Most likely projection is Power Five starter as a boundary corner.