Maxwell Hairston drafted 30th overall by the Buffalo Bills
The Michigan native becomes Kentucky's 29th selection in the NFL Draft under Head Coach Mark Stoops.
Maxwell Hairston versus Ohio.
UK Athletics
GREEN BAY, WI. (ABC36 NEWS NOW)- With the 30th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, former Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston has been selected by the Buffalo Bills.
The Michigan native becomes Kentucky’s 29th selection in the NFL Draft under Head Coach Mark Stoops and the fourth first rounder in the Stoops Era. Hairston was projected to be chosen anywhere from the late teens to the end of the round on the first night of the draft.
During four years in Lexington, he set himself a part as one of the top defensive backs in the SEC especially with a breakout 2023 season. During that campaign, he started all 13 games and became a ball hawk for Stoops.
He ended the year tied for sixth and second in the FBS with five interceptions and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. Both of the former came versus Vanderbilt in the Wildcats’ SEC opener. The five takeaways led the conference as well and helped land him on the All-SEC Second Team.
In 2024, he missed five games due to a shoulder injury, but was able to accrue 19 tackles, one pick six, four pass break ups and two forced fumbles.
Hairston received an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine and posted a 4.28 second 40 yard dash time, a 39.5 inch vertical jump and a 10 foot nine inch broad jump.
