The Bills selected Kentucky cornerback Max Hairston with the 30th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Here's five things to know about the newest member of the Buffalo Bills.
1. Buffalo's newest cornerback has BLAZING speed
Hairston made headlines in February when he ran the fastest 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine. The CB recorded a 4.28 40-yard dash.
Bills general manager Brandon Beane said his speed shows up on tape, and it's one of the reasons why they couldn't pass on him at No. 30.
"It's hard to have recovery speed like that," Beane said. "Some guys run fast, they run track fast, but they don't play fast. I don't know if I could say 4.26, but you saw 4.3 on film as a player.
"You're always looking to add speed as long as the football player matches it."
Hairston's speed shows up on tape with his ability to keep up with the SEC's fastest wide receivers. One of the CB's tools is his ability to wait to jump routes due to his ability to make up ground in just seconds. This type of play speed turned into six interceptions at Kentucky.
2. Hairston has a confidence and energy that you can feel
Buffalo's newest cornerback decided to spend his draft night in Green Bay, WI with his friends and family. Throughout the night, TV cameras showed Hairston congratulating other prospects in the green room once they got drafted.
When asked about why the CB went out of his way to high-five and hug guys, he said it's just who he is.
"I'm a very happy and energetic person, and the fact that I'm in the green room right now is just so exciting for me," Hairston said. "The fact that I knew the majority of the guys that got picked, of course I had to show some love…we worked so hard for this opportunity, and to all hear our names called, 'Man, it's truly beautiful.'"
Once Hairston's name was called you saw his electric energy and smile flash across the TV as he celebrated with his loved ones. As the media spoke with Hairston, it wasn't just his personality that came across the screen but his confidence, too.
The CB likes to model his personality on the field after three-time First-team All-Pro corner Jalen Ramsey.
"I love Jalen Ramsey because he played with so much swagger," Hairston said. "You knew he was that guy. You knew not to try him. And I just want to be able to go out there with that same confidence, knowing that if you come at me, it's not 50-50, that's my ball."
Hairston racked up six interceptions, 16 passes defensed and 89 tackles during his three years in Kentucky. The CB said he turns into his nickname, 'Mad Max', on the field.
"That actually came about back in little league," Hairston said. "I was a lot smaller growing up, but my coach always said, 'Hey, he might be small, but you're not gonna run over him. You're not gonna bully him. That's Mad Max right there.' And I was like, I like that. That's gonna stick with me, cause when I get on the field, I really turn into Mad Max."
3. Big-time production
Hairston's known for his production on the field. The CB grabbed six interceptions in just 20 starts, and five of those interceptions came in one season. Hairston earned second-team All-SEC that season (2023).
The Kentucky CB says he had production because of his preparation.
"It really all starts with preparation," Hairston said. "I'm the type of player where I think, I have to catch like a receiver because when that ball is in the air, I'm gonna adjust like a receiver and take it back to the house. And my mindset when I do get an interception is score, make it easy on the offense."
Hairston turned six of those interceptions into three touchdowns. He averaged 23.7 yards per interception return due to his blazing speed. The CB also became the sixth player in SEC history with two pick sixes in the same game (vs. Vanderbilt in 2023).
"He's got ball skills," Beane said of his newest corner. "There are guys that have speed, but they don't track it well or they just can't make the play. He's got that…he loves to make plays on the ball. He's an aggressive player attacking the ball, which we like."
The Bills also love his versatility. Hairston is comfortable playing both zone and press-man. He's excited to go to a team who does both.
"I feel like I'm so versatile that I can come out, play man, or I can play zone, I can play off-man, I can play press-man, I can disguise," Hairston said. "So, I'm happy to just be able to go into an organization with a beautiful scheme that will allow me to get the ball back."
4. Why Buffalo feels like home
Hairston added during his introductory press conference that Buffalo felt like home. The CB said the Bills were his first formal meeting at the combine and that he also went out to Buffalo during a Top 30 visit before the draft.
"Being at that facility and just meeting the whole coaching staff and even getting to see some of the players, it just felt like I belonged there," Hairston said. "…It just felt like that was home for me because of the conversations I was having with the coaches. We were just connecting, we were just vibing. And I could feel safe calling them my coach, and I'm just so excited."
Hairston is also excited because he gets to reunite with one of his former teammates. Bills running back Ray Davis overlapped with Hairston in Kentucky during the 2023 season.
"Tell Ray Davis I'm moving in!" Hairston said with a smile. "That's like my brother though…I'm just so happy to be reunited with him. That's a great teammate and I know that he's going to be someone that, hey, I can ask a bunch of questions with, and he's gonna help me out…we're gonna ball together. I can't wait."
The newest corner isn't a stranger to Bills football. Hairston went to Buffalo's Week 15 game last season when they faced the Lions in Detroit. The Kentucky product thought he wouldn't mind playing with Bills quarterback Josh Allen while he watched him score four total touchdowns. That dream is now a reality.
"I feel like this team is a Super Bowl ready team, and we're gonna go out there and attack it," Hairston said. "I actually got to watch them play. When they came to Detroit, Ray Davis gave me some tickets, and I saw Josh Allen go out there and put on a master class. And I was like, 'Hey, I wouldn't mind that being my quarterback.' And the fact that it really happened, now I'm super excited and super prepared to get to work with him."
5. Worthy of a first-round grade
Before the start of the draft, Beane met with media to discuss their preparations leading up to the big day. Buffalo's GM admitted he didn't have 30 prospects with a first-round grade even though they were drafting at No. 30.
Thankfully one of the first-round graded prospects fell to Buffalo so the Bills could stick and pick. Beane said area-scout Pete Harris led the charge on scouting Hairston.
"Pete Harris has probably been in there the most," Beane said. "Pete was very high on him through the process and all the things. I mean, you don't end up with a first-round grade, like this guy had if your area scout's kind of down on him. It's been all positive.
"Like I said, our interactions with him, whether it was in Indy, or for a 30 visit, all been great."
Scroll to see the photos from inside the Bills draft room during Thursday's first round as they select Maxwell Hairston.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Matthew Pegula, Kim Pegula, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terrance Gray, Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Malik Boyd, Matt Bazirgan. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Terry Pegula, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Briane Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terrance Gray, Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Andrea Gosper. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Malik Boyd. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Matt Bazirgan. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Laura Pegula, Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Asil Mulbah. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
RJ Webb. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brian Gaine. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott, Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Joe Danna, Chrtis Tabor. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Bobby Babich, Joe Danna. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Joe Brady. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Joe Brady, Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Jahmile Addae. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terry Pegula, Matthew Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott, Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terry Pegula, Pete Guelli, Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terrance Gray, Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Jahmile Addae. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Bobby Babich. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Sean McDermott. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Pete Guelli. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Matt Barzigan. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Malik Boyd, Terrance Gray. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Jahmile Addae. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Terry Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
Brandon Beane, Terry Pegula, Matthew Pegula, Brian Gaine, Pete Guelli, Bobby Babich, Laura Pegula. Scenes from the Buffalo Bills draft room during Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft at the Buffalo Bills Training Center on April 24, 2025.
