Maxwell Hairston just joined this group of Kentucky NFL draft first-round picks

Jon Hale, Lexington Herald-Leader on Apr 24, 2025

Published in Football

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For the fourth time in the Mark Stoops era and 18th time in Kentucky football history, a Wildcat was picked in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday.

The Buffalo Bills selected UK cornerback Maxwell Hairston with the No. 30 pick in the 2025 draft in Green Bay, Wis. Hairston is UK’s first first-round draft pick since Jamin Davis (Washington) in 2021.

Bud Dupree (2015) and Josh Allen (2019) were the other first-round NFL draft picks since Stoops was hired as head coach prior to the 2013 season. Only one UK player was picked in the first round in the 14 drafts prior to Stoops being hired.

Hairston missed five games due to an infection last season but still totaled 19 tackles, one sack, one interception, two forced fumbles and four pass breakups before forgoing his final season of eligibility to enter the draft. As a sophomore in 2023, Hairston tied for the SEC lead with five interceptions. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns in his UK career.

The selection marks the third consecutive year Kentucky has had a cornerback drafted. Four UK cornerbacks have been drafted in the last five years.