From a 3-star recruit out of Michigan to the first cornerback in Kentucky football history to hear his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft — Maxwell Hairston just rewrote the Wildcats' record books.
With the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buffalo Bills selected Hairston, making him the highest-drafted Kentucky defensive back ever, surpassing Lonnie Johnson, who went 54th overall to the Texans in 2019. He's also Kentucky’s first first-round pick since linebacker Jamin Davis went 19th to Washington in 2021.
Not only that, but he showed what a class act he really is by greeting everyone that walked by his table. He looked geniuinely happy for each and every person as they walked up to that podium, and it did not go unnoticed. See these tweets from Dan Wolken and Alyssa Lang.
Hairston’s journey hasn’t always been smooth, but it’s been nothing short of inspiring.
📈 What Maxwell Hairston brings to Buffalo
Hairston is a rangy, explosive corner with an elite feel for the game. Despite injuries limiting him to just 7 games in 2024, his playmaking instincts were undeniable across his Kentucky career.
Career Stats:
Games Played: 47
Solo Tackles: 69
Sacks: 1
Forced Fumbles: 3
Interceptions: 6
INT Return Yards: 156
Touchdowns: 3
Passes Defended: 10
He doesn’t just defend — he changes games.
Hairston’s ability to bait quarterbacks into throws, then flip the field with game-changing picks (like his 83-yard return touchdown in 2023) shows he’s more than just coverage. He’s a threat to score. A defensive weapon with a wide receiver’s ball skills.
📍 From underrated to unforgettable
Maxwell Hairston committed to Kentucky as a lightly recruited 3-star in the 2021 class. He left as a historic name in program lore.
Injuries may have robbed him of a full junior season, but they didn’t slow down the scouts. His film was that good. His instincts too sharp. His ceiling too high.
🧩 The perfect fit for Sean McDermott's defense
With Greg Rousseau already anchoring the Bills defense, Hairston adds a young, twitchy playmaker to the mix. Whether he starts day one or earns his way onto the field, he’ll bring physicality, confidence, and a nose for the football.
For a league obsessed with turnovers, few prospects have produced splash plays the way Hairston has. And he’s just scratching the surface.
📚 Legacy sealed in Lexington
First Kentucky cornerback ever drafted in the first round
First UK first-rounder since 2021
Highest-drafted UK DB in school history
What a run. What a rise. What a future.