Kentucky CB Maxwell Hairston declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Maxwell Hairston still has one year of college eligibility left, but the talented defensive back has elected to begin his professional career.

Hairston officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Monday afternoon, thanking his friends, family, coaches, and the University of Kentucky for the time he “will always cherish” as a Wildcat. During his four years at Kentucky (20 starts across 32 appearances), the 6-foot-1, 185-pound star corner totaled 89 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack, 10 pass breakups, six interceptions, and three forced fumbles.

“Wow, it feels like just yesterday I was a 17-year-old walking into the dorms, eager to begin my collegiate career,” Hairston posted on social media. “Time has truly flown by, and I’ve been blessed to grow and learn so much along the way…

“After much prayer and discussion with my family, I’ve decided to forgo my final year of eligibility at UK and officially declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. While I’m excited for the next chapter, I will always cherish my time at Kentucky. Thank you, Big Blue Nation. You’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

Hairston is a projected second or third-round draft pick in the spring and will be one of the best available options at cornerback.

Want it all, I can't settle for less than…AGTG ✞ pic.twitter.com/qOOI2elUu8

— MadMax ¹ᵏ (@MHairston22) December 23, 2024

Despite playing just seven games in 2024 due to injury, Hairston was still named Second-Team All-SEC by the Associated Press. A team captain, he recorded 19 tackles, a TFL, two forced fumbles, a sack, one interception, and four pass breakups in those seven games. Hairston’s pick-six in the third quarter during the win over Ohio was the third of his career, which ties the school record (Dallas Owens (1974-77).

Considered a three-star recruit of West Bloomfield (MI) High School, Hairston redshirted his freshman season in 2021 before playing in all 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2022. His breakout campaign came in 2023 when he was named Second Team All-SEC and Honorable Mention All-America by multiple outlets. Expectations were even higher in 2024, but injuries cut his season short.

Hairston will participate in the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl in January as he prepares to make his professional dreams come true. He becomes the fifth Wildcat to declare for the draft, joining DL Deone Walker, DB Zion Childress, OL Gerald Mincey, and LB D’Eryk Jackson. The 2025 NFL Draft is scheduled for April 24–26.