Maxwell Hairston
Maxwell Hairston is an American professional football cornerback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats and was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
Early life
Hairston was born on August 6, 2003, in West Bloomfield, Michigan. As a senior at West Bloomfield High School, he recorded 16 pass deflections, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles. Hairston committed to play college football at the University of Kentucky over other schools such as Kansas, Minnesota, Purdue, Virginia Tech, and Washington State.College career
As a freshman in 2022, Hairston totaled two tackles. In the 2023 season opener, he forced a fumble as he helped Kentucky beat Ball State 44–14. The next week, Hairston recorded his first career interception in a win over Eastern Kentucky. In week three of the 2023 season, he led the team with seven tackles with one going for a loss in a win over Akron. In week four, Hairston set the single-game school record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns, as he helped Kentucky beat the Vanderbilt Commodores.Professional career
Hairston was selected by the Buffalo Bills in the first round with the 30th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Hairston suffered an LCL sprain in a pre-season practice, causing him to begin the regular season on injured reserve.On October 25, 2025, Hairston was activated for his NFL debut ahead of Buffalo's Week 8 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The following week, while matched up with Kansas City Chiefs receiver Xavier Worthy, known for running the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL Combine history, Hairston made his first career interception, sealing a 28-21 Bills win over the rival Chiefs. In his first start the following week versus the Miami Dolphins, Hairston was beat by Jaylen Waddle for a long touchdown, but bounced back in the second half, intercepting another pass intended for Waddle.