The Kentucky Bills Sign with Buffalo

A couple of former Kentucky Wildcats are officially in the National Football League. Maxwell Hairston and Deone Walker signed contracts with the Buffalo Bills.

“Blessed is an understatement,” Hairston said on social media.

Hairston made history in Green Bay. Selected by the Bills with the No. 30 overall pick, he became the first former Kentucky defensive back selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Deone had to wait a little longer to hear his name called. He went off the board to Buffalo in the fourth round with the No. 109 overall pick.

The two former Cats made it official following the final day of mandatory minicamp, the last major event of the offseason program before training camp begins in August.

Walker is wearing No. 96 for the Bills. Members of the Buffalo media are having the same eye-opening experience we had when we saw him in person for the first time.

It’s true. Deone Walker is a big dude. pic.twitter.com/o5cItGGMiP

— Sal Capaccio 🏈 (@SalSports) June 11, 2025

Hairston missed some of the minicamp. He’s back to wearing No. 31 in Buffalo, the number he rocked for most of his Kentucky career.

While it may seem like a formality, there are still three unsigned first-round picks. The most noteworthy absence is in Cincinnati, where Shemar Stewart left minicamp in the middle of his contract dispute with the Bengals.

More Kentucky News Around Minicamps

Za’Darius Smith was not in a minicamp this summer. The veteran pass-rusher was traded from the Browns to the Lions following Aidan Hutchinson‘s season-ending injury. Detroit cut Smith in a cap move this offseason, but left the door open for a return, and Big Z wants to make it happen.

“We both know where I want to be,” Smith said. “Hopefully, I can get back to Detroit because the coaching staff and everybody in the front office are great. When I’m there, I feel like a leader and like I can influence the young guys and do great things. Hopefully, I can get back to where I want to be in Detroit.”

Even though the Tennessee Titans drafted Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, they’re still holding onto Will Levis. The former Kentucky QB struggled in his second season with the Titans, however, he’s still young and could be a valuable trade asset. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said there’s very little buzz that a trade is on the horizon. That might pick up if there’s an injury elsewhere during training camp.

Meanwhile in Tennessee, a former Kentucky wide receiver has generated some buzz. Bryce Oliver started his career at Kentucky before transferring to Youngstown State. He appeared in ten games during his rookie season and caught six passes for 95 yards. Oliver impressed during this week’s minicamp.

.@Titans receiver @Oliver8Bryce had three touchdowns on the final practice of minicamp.

Afterward, Oliver discussed his offseason, and mindset. pic.twitter.com/HM3CLq7Xi2

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 12, 2025