Maxwell Hairston was all smiles after being picked by Buffalo in the first round. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky had never had a defensive back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft until Maxwell Hairston was the 30th overall pick by the Buffalo Bills in last week’s draft.
He became Kentucky’s highest draft pick since Jamin Davis went 19th overall to Washington in 2021 and the seventh Kentucky defensive back picked in the draft in the last seven years.
“I think he is a very good player. He has got great cover skills. Obviously he’s got good speed (his time of 4.28 seconds in the 40-yard dash was the fastest at the NFL Combine) and will play the ball in the air. He’s a quick reactor and a great cover player,” former Alabama coach Nick Saban said on ABC-TV’s draft coverage.
Saban did add that he felt Hairston needed to be a better tackler. He had 19 tackles, a strip-sack, four pass deflections and one interception in 2024 when he missed five games due to an injury. He led the SEC in interceptions with five in 2023, including two touchdown returns, but he also had 68 total tackles, six pass breakups and a forced fumble in 13 starts.
Hairston could be a rarity in today’s college football environment. He was “only” a three-star recruit who picked UK over Arkansas, Minnesota, Purdue, Rutgers and Virginia Tech. The Michigan native redshirted in 2021. He played in 12 games in 2022 but had only two tackles. His breakout season came in 2023 before last season was hampered by injuries.
“He was just a pleasure to work with somebody who was always willing to take coaching and get better each and every year,” Kentucky coach Mark Stoops told One Bills Live. “You saw him grow. He has always been aggressive and physical when he needs to be. He grew and got so much better to become a player who has great ball skills.
“He has faced elite receivers (in the SEC). There will be ups and downs in the NFL but he is a guy that can handle that. He has to adapt to the NFL and there will be growing pains but he can learn from that.”
Buffalo likes Hairston’s explosive speed that Bills general manager Brandon Bean said allows him to recover if he’s beaten on a play.
“Some guys run fast, they run track fast, but they don’t play fast. You’re always looking to add speed as long as the football player matches it.”
Beane likes that Hairston “loves to make plays on the ball” and that he is aggressive attacking the ball.
Stoops added that Hairston will bring a “ton of energy” but is also fun to have on a team.
“What you see is what you get. He always has good energy and a great work ethic. He is a fun guy but he works his tail off,” the Kentucky coach said. “He has worked his way into being a first-round pick. He is very competitive. He has elite speed. He is not afraid to tackle. I think the sky is the limit for him.”
Hairston told Buffalo media members at his introductory press conference he would be more than willing to use his elite speed to return kickoffs, something he didn’t have to do at Kentucky.
“It’s something I have practiced but at Kentucky we had our guy Barion Brown and he was pretty good,” Hairston said. “If I have to learn to catch it (a kickoff) I will do it. We practiced (returning kickoffs) going into the season but I never did it in a game.”
Stoops believes Hairston has one huge factor going for him — former UK running back Ray Davis was drafted by the Bills last year and had a successful rookie season.
“I think it is really helpful and really important, especially with a guy just one year removed from Kentucky,” Stoops said when asked about Davis’ impact on Hairston. “He’s another person who has such positive energy. He is a team player.
“We are all looking for that and guys that fit in the locker room and bring positive energy. I know he will take Maxwell under his wing and hopefully they will contribute to a great organization.”
Two days later Buffalo also took UK defensive linemen Deone Walker with one of the first picks in the fourth round. Walker went into the 2024 season projected as a first-round pick but saw his stock slip significantly.
“You can’t go wrong with Deone. He has so much more potential and is going to play at a high level,” Stoops said. “He battled injuries a year ago. He is going to be a guy who will have a great impact (In the NFL). I am really excited about what the future holds for him.”
