Former UK defensive back Maxwell Hairston believes Buffalo could be a Super Bowl team next season. (UK Athletics Photo)
Former Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston admitted after the Buffalo Bills made him a first-round NFL draft pick that his idol for a long time had been Jalen Ramsey, a seven-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey who he could now compete against.
Hairston said there was one thing he always loved about Ramsey’s play.
“I love Jalen Ramsey because he plays with so much swagger. You knew he was that guy. You knew not to try him. And I just want to be able to go out there with that same confidence, knowing that if you come at me, it’s not 50-50, that’s my ball,” Hairston said.
“I’m the type of player where I think I have to catch like a receiver because when that ball is in the air, I’m gonna adjust like a receiver and take it back to the house (end zone). And my mindset when I do get an interception is score, make it easy on the offense.”
Hairston returned three of his six interceptions at Kentucky for touchdowns to tie the school record set by Dallas Owens from 1974-77.
The Kentucky standout knows he is fortunate to be playing for Buffalo, a Super Bowl contender led by quarterback Josh Allen. He’ll also rejoin running back Ray Davis, who made a big impression at Buffalo as a rookie in 2024.
“I feel like this team is a Super Bowl ready team, and we’re gonna go out there and attack it. I actually got to watch them play when they came to Detroit (last year). Ray Davis gave me some tickets, and I saw Josh Allen go out there and put on a master class,” Hairston said.
“I was like, ‘Hey, I wouldn’t mind that being my quarterback.’ I’m super excited and super prepared to get to work with him.”
