The Buffalo Bills have developed a fascinating trend in recent years—**drafting multiple Kentucky Wildcats**. This unexpected connection between Buffalo and Kentucky football has sparked curiosity among fans and analysts alike. With the **2025 NFL Draft** further strengthening this pipeline, the Bills’ strategy appears to be more than just coincidence.
### **A Growing Kentucky Presence in Buffalo**
The Bills have consistently selected Kentucky players, with **Maxwell Hairston and Deone Walker** joining the team in the 2025 draft [A](https://ukwildcatswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/football/2025/04/28/buffalo-bills-explain-drafting-multiple-kentucky-wildcats/83327825007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdWt3aWxkY2F0c3dpcmUudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvc3BvcnRzXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9rZW50dWNreVwvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA0XC8yOFwvYnVmZmFsby1iaWxscy1leHBsYWluLWRyYWZ0aW5nLW11bHRpcGxlLWtlbnR1Y2t5LXdpbGRjYXRzXC84MzMyNzgyNTAwN1wvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). This follows the **2024 selection of running back Ray Davis**, who quickly became a reliable contributor for Buffalo [B](https://athlonsports.com/college/kentucky-wildcats/kentucky-football-to-buffalo-bills-pipeline-deepens-in-2025-nfl-draft?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvYXRobG9uc3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwva2VudHVja3ktd2lsZGNhdHNcL2tlbnR1Y2t5LWZvb3RiYWxsLXRvLWJ1ZmZhbG8tYmlsbHMtcGlwZWxpbmUtZGVlcGVucy1pbi0yMDI1LW5mbC1kcmFmdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). The pattern suggests that the Bills see something special in Kentucky’s football program.
### **Why Kentucky?**
Buffalo’s **General Manager Brandon Beane** has openly praised Kentucky’s ability to produce **NFL-ready talent** [A](https://ukwildcatswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/football/2025/04/28/buffalo-bills-explain-drafting-multiple-kentucky-wildcats/83327825007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdWt3aWxkY2F0c3dpcmUudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvc3BvcnRzXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9rZW50dWNreVwvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA0XC8yOFwvYnVmZmFsby1iaWxscy1leHBsYWluLWRyYWZ0aW5nLW11bHRpcGxlLWtlbnR1Y2t5LXdpbGRjYXRzXC84MzMyNzgyNTAwN1wvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). He highlighted the Wildcats’ strong development system under **head coach Mark Stoops**, who has sent **29 players to the NFL** since taking over in 2013 [A](https://ukwildcatswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/kentucky/football/2025/04/28/buffalo-bills-explain-drafting-multiple-kentucky-wildcats/83327825007/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvdWt3aWxkY2F0c3dpcmUudXNhdG9kYXkuY29tXC9zdG9yeVwvc3BvcnRzXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9rZW50dWNreVwvZm9vdGJhbGxcLzIwMjVcLzA0XC8yOFwvYnVmZmFsby1iaWxscy1leHBsYWluLWRyYWZ0aW5nLW11bHRpcGxlLWtlbnR1Y2t5LXdpbGRjYXRzXC84MzMyNzgyNTAwN1wvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). Beane emphasized that Kentucky players arrive **prepared for the professional level**, making them valuable assets for the Bills.
### **Maxwell Hairston: A Defensive Star**
Hairston, drafted **30th overall**, was a standout cornerback at Kentucky [C](https://www.wtvq.com/why-the-buffalo-bills-selected-kentuckys-maxwell-hairston-in-the-nfl-draft/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lnd0dnEuY29tXC93aHktdGhlLWJ1ZmZhbG8tYmlsbHMtc2VsZWN0ZWQta2VudHVja3lzLW1heHdlbGwtaGFpcnN0b24taW4tdGhlLW5mbC1kcmFmdFwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His **blazing speed (4.28-second 40-yard dash)** and ability to recover in coverage impressed Buffalo’s scouts [C](https://www.wtvq.com/why-the-buffalo-bills-selected-kentuckys-maxwell-hairston-in-the-nfl-draft/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lnd0dnEuY29tXC93aHktdGhlLWJ1ZmZhbG8tYmlsbHMtc2VsZWN0ZWQta2VudHVja3lzLW1heHdlbGwtaGFpcnN0b24taW4tdGhlLW5mbC1kcmFmdFwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). With the Bills needing a **cornerback opposite Christian Benford**, Hairston’s arrival fills a crucial gap in their defense [C](https://www.wtvq.com/why-the-buffalo-bills-selected-kentuckys-maxwell-hairston-in-the-nfl-draft/?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvd3d3Lnd0dnEuY29tXC93aHktdGhlLWJ1ZmZhbG8tYmlsbHMtc2VsZWN0ZWQta2VudHVja3lzLW1heHdlbGwtaGFpcnN0b24taW4tdGhlLW5mbC1kcmFmdFwvIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
### **Deone Walker: A Dominant Force**
Walker, selected in the **fourth round**, adds strength to Buffalo’s defensive line **disrupt plays and pressure quarterbacks** makes him a valuable addition. The Bills hope he can develop into a key piece alongside their [B](https://athlonsports.com/college/kentucky-wildcats/kentucky-football-to-buffalo-bills-pipeline-deepens-in-2025-nfl-draft?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJZV3dKcU5rcTQ0N2Jac3RuWUZUeVkiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoiRjFzNlpXMjI0dEp6dk1xdmpYV1BqIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrRGVzdGluYXRpb24iOiJodHRwczpcL1wvYXRobG9uc3BvcnRzLmNvbVwvY29sbGVnZVwva2VudHVja3ktd2lsZGNhdHNcL2tlbnR1Y2t5LWZvb3RiYWxsLXRvLWJ1ZmZhbG8tYmlsbHMtcGlwZWxpbmUtZGVlcGVucy1pbi0yMDI1LW5mbC1kcmFmdCJ9&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1). His ability to existing defensive stars.
### **Ray Davis: A Proven Contributor**
Davis, drafted in
