Maxwell Hairston Among 17 Players Participating in Kentucky Football Senior Day

The meaning of Senior Day has changed across college football. The proliferation of Super Seniors thanks to the COVID-19 eligibility waiver has thrown a wrench into the equation. For example, Kentucky EDGE J.J. Weaver went through Senior Day in 2022 and he will play on Saturday against Louisville. Weight, right?

That example is one reason why you shouldn’t read too much into the decisions on who will stay or who will go based on their Senior Day participation this Saturday in the pregame festivities ahead of the Governor’s Cup. However, we can read a little into it for one player in particular.

Maxwell Hairston is on the verge of completing his fourth season on Kentucky’s campus. However, he has another year of eligibility if he wants to run it back after missing five games in 2024 due to injury. Hairston has a decision to make at the end of the season, but it feels like he’s trending toward the NFL. He received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and will receive his jersey on the field this Saturday. Don’t count on a return for the cornerback.

Tight end Jordan Dingle is in a similar situation where he has another year of eligibility to use. To be candid, there are probably a few others, but it’s hard to track. Fortunately, the Covid-waiver madness will finally end following next season.

Even once that ends the Super Senior sensation, the sentiment behind Senior Day feels different in the transfer portal era. Seven of the 17 players honored this Saturday started their college careers elsewhere (well, in Beau Allen’s case it was the middle of his career that was different). The days of teary-eyed grown men receiving a salute to My Old Kentucky Home after four years of sacrifice in Lexington are fewer and further between.

Kentucky Football Senior Day Salute

QB Beau Allen
P Wilson Berry
DB Zion Childress
WR Trey Dennis
TE Jordan Dingle
LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
CB Maxwell Hairston
OT Gerald Mincey
DB Jarard Mosely
DL Octavious Oxendine
OL Lucas Padgett
K Alex Raynor
OL Paul Rodriguez
DL Tre’vonn Rybka
DB Jackson Schulz
S Kristian Story
RB Demie Sumo-Karngbaye

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