© Kirby Lee/Imagn
Maxwell Hairston had to sit through 29 selections before hearing his name called Thursday night at the 2025 NFL Draft. The Buffalo Bills first-rounder was projected by most to go in the late teens to early 20s, so he didn’t have to wait too long. But it’s easy to imagine how a player could grow frustrated at the night goes on.
Not Hairston, however. Rather than being upset or bitter, the two-time All-SEC selection out of Kentucky proved that he’s immediately one of the league’s all-time good dudes. Hairston’s spot in the green room at the NFL Draft positioned him right next to the entrance to the stage. As each pick passed, Hairston was sure to congratulate every player who walked by him.
You’ve gotta love new #Bills CB Maxwell Hairston! Special person. 🫶
(via @CBSSports @NFLonCBS) pic.twitter.com/aNi1Kqa5dA
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 25, 2025
That’s a high-character guy right there and the type of player that helps build a strong locker room culture. On top of that, Hairston is a pretty dang good football player. On top of his production at Kentucky, Hairston ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump.
Hairston also won over fans with an emotional draft call with the Bills that shows just what the moment meant to him.
“After seeing him dap up and support every guy drafted before him, I wanted him picked so bad. So glad we got him,” one Buffalo fan said of the pick.
“One of my favorite parts of the nfl draft last night – love the way he supported his peers – this guy will be stellar in the Bills locker room,” said another.
Buffalo has a great history under Sean McDermott of churning out talented cornerbacks. There’s no reason to believe it will be any different with Hairston. And he’s the type of guy everyone will be rooting for to succeed.