It was the definition of a bitter-sweet moment for Kentucky Wildcats fans as they heard a beloved name called on Thursday night at the NFL Draft.
Maxwell “Mad Max” Hairston was selected 30th overall in the first round by the Buffalo Bills. He’ll reunite with former Wildcats teammate Ray Davis.
#31 will leave behind an impressive legacy at Kentucky after playing in 32 total games with 20 starting assignments.
Hairston would rack up 89 total tackles and six interceptions in his career, but fans will likely remember him most for his school record-tying three interceptions returned for touchdowns. His reputation as a gritty ball-hawk really began to grow in 2023, and now he finds himself as a first-round pick.
Last season, Hairston was recognized by being named to the second-team All-SEC by the AP. He was pegged in the pre-season to be a first-team all-conference performer, but an unfortunate shoulder injury held him out of five games.
Hairston shined against one of the best teams in America by recording a season-high seven tackles and a forced fumble on the road at #3 Texas.
Bills fans should be excited to get a guy like Hairston who will courageously act as an opportunistic defender aiming to take one to the house with any slight mistake from the opposing QB.
At right around 180 pounds, Hairston will be on the smaller side at the next level and will need to prove that he’s built to withstand the grind of playing in the National Football League. But if his entire football career is being used as an indicator, then you have to like his chances to hang around the league for many years to come.
Here is how NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein broke down Hairston as a prospect.
“Slender outside cornerback with long arms and impressive ball production. Hairston is capable of playing all forms of zone and man coverage. He anticipates well with his eyes forward and has the burst to take the ball away, posting six interceptions (three returned for TDs) over his last 20 games. He stays connected in man coverage with good agility and fluidity but needs to do a better job of locating the football downfield. He will struggle to contest big wideouts and his run support will turn off some teams. Hairston has the athleticism and on-ball talent to become a starter, but he needs to prove he can hold up to the rigors and physicality of the NFL game.”
It goes without saying that the Bills just picked up a ton of fans from the Commonwealth.
