WATCH: The Moment Maxwell Hairston Became a Buffalo Bill

Maxwell Hairston had to wait a while in the green room to get his number called. During the more than 3.5-hour wait, he stayed busy by serving as the green room’s unofficial hype man. Rather than hiding envy, he showed unbridled enthusiasm any time one of his peers was picked.

The hype man earned his time in the limelight. He finally got it just after 11:30 PM ET.

The Buffalo Bills selected Hairston with the No. 30 overall pick, making him the first Kentucky defensive back ever selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Hairston let out all of his emotions with his father, Marvin, before taking the the stage in Green Bay.

Maxwell Hairston embraces his father after being drafted by the Bills.#NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/uAWwhSjirO

— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025

And here it is, the moment it became official.

Round 1, pick 30 the @BuffaloBills select @MHairston22.

📺 #NFLDraft2025 on @ABC pic.twitter.com/ZJ1z326roG

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 25, 2025

After celebrating on stage, he spoke with NFL Network’s Jaime Erdahl. “I can’t believe this is going on right now. I’m so thankful, I’m so blessed, I’m so happy to hear my name called,” his voice cracked, filled with emotion. “It’s truly a dream come true. I give all thanks to God.”

“LET’S GET TO WORK BUFFALO!”

The @BuffaloBills landed a gem in CB Maxwell Hairston ❤️ @JamieErdahl

📺: 2025 #NFLDraft – on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/aNsKfkbWlY

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 25, 2025

Over on the ABC broadcast, Laura Rutledge spent time with the Hairston family after they learned Max is moving to Buffalo.

.@LauraRutledge with the Hairston family is must watch 😸

📺 #NFLDraft2025 on ABC pic.twitter.com/ZEF91GoA4J

— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) April 25, 2025

It was a wonderful moment. Now, Kentucky football fans get to watch him on Sundays, playing alongside another former Wildcat, Ray Davis, for a Super Bowl contender. Hopefully, this ball-hawk can help Josh Allen’s franchise to the final game of the 2025-26 NFL season.

More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel

Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.