Who is Maxwell Hairston? Projected first-round pick brings record-setting speed to NFL Draft

Billy Heyen

Who is Maxwell Hairston? Projected first-round pick brings record-setting speed to NFL Draft image

Maxwell Hairston was a late add to the first-round NFL Draft invites to attend Thursday night in person in Green Bay.

The former Kentucky star should hear his name called by Roger Goodell on night one, and he's one of the draft's most intriguing players.

Here's everything you need to know about Hairston.

Who is Maxwell Hairston?

Maxwell Hairston is one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.

He was a three-star recruit out of the state of Michigan who won a high school state championship before leaving to play at Kentucky.

In 2023, Hairston had five interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns. Injuries limited him to a single pick in 2024.

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How fast is Maxwell Hairston's 40-yard dash?

Hairston ran the fastest 40 at the entire 2025 NFL Combine.

He came across the line in 4.28 seconds, one of the fastest in league history.

Maxwell Hairston's other NFL Combine numbers

Hairston didn't just run 4.28 seconds in the 40.

He also had a 39.5-inch vertical jump and went 10 feet, 9 inches in the broad jump.

Maxwell Hairston's athletic family

Maxwell Hairston is cousins with Taiwan Jones, the former NFL running back.

He also is cousins with Lyndsey Hairston, who played briefly in the NBA.

Who will draft Maxwell Hairston?

This will be determined soon enough on Thursday night.

Some latest projections have Hairston going to the hosting Green Bay Packers. Others suggest he could wind up with the Buffalo Bills.

We'll have to wait and see.

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Billy Heyen

Billy Heyen is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is a 2019 graduate of Syracuse University who has written about many sports and fantasy sports for The Sporting News. Sports reporting work has also appeared in a number of newspapers, including the Sandusky Register and Rochester Democrat & Chronicle