Kentucky's Maxwell Hairston Blazes Through 2025 NFL Scouting Combine

Hairston Delivers on His Promise

During his press availability on Thursday, Hairston confidently stated that he planned to put on a show. Unlike some prospects who choose to wait for their pro day to perform workouts, Hairston embraced the challenge of competing on the big stage at the NFL Combine.

"This is what I train for. I am excited to put that on display, be able to show my athleticism, show my speed and just put on a show," Hairston said.

On Friday, alongside the other defensive backs, Hairston did exactly that—wowing scouts with his athleticism and speed.

Elite Athletic Testing Numbers

Hairston put up some of the most impressive testing numbers among all defensive backs at the Combine. His 39.5-inch vertical jump ranked second among DBs, while his 10-foot-9 broad jump placed him third. However, it was his speed that stole the show.

The Kentucky cornerback clocked an official 4.28-second 40-yard dash, the fastest time recorded at the Combine so far. According to Next Gen Stats, Hairston reached a top speed of 24.25 miles per hour during his sprint, making it the fifth-fastest speed recorded at the Combine over the past three years and the second-fastest among all cornerbacks in that span.

These numbers solidified Hairston as one of the most athletic corners in this year’s draft class, significantly boosting his draft stock.

First-Round Buzz Growing

There has been increasing chatter in Indianapolis about Hairston making his way into the first round of the draft. With a smaller number of clear-cut first-round prospects this year, more players like Hairston have the opportunity to rise up draft boards.

Beyond Michigan’s Will Johnson and potentially Colorado’s Travis Hunter, there are no surefire first-round cornerbacks in this class. This opens the door for Hairston to capitalize on his elite testing numbers and strong interviews.

Hairston confirmed he had 11 formal interviews with NFL teams, including the Bills, Seahawks, Colts, Buccaneers, Chargers, Raiders, and 49ers. These meetings allowed him to showcase his football IQ by breaking down coverages and defensive schemes.

"We were just going over ball, going over the coverages I was in and being able to explain the whole call to them. That was something that was really fun for me and stood out to me the most," Hairston said.

A Proven Playmaker

Hairston, a Detroit native, declared for the draft after his junior season at Kentucky. He follows in the footsteps of former Wildcats cornerbacks Carrington Valentine and Dru Phillips, who also left early for the NFL.

Over the past two seasons, Hairston has been a playmaker, recording six interceptions—three of which he returned for touchdowns—along with three forced fumbles. His ability to generate turnovers and make game-changing plays has been a key factor in his rising draft stock.

Final Outlook

After a standout Combine performance, Maxwell Hairston has firmly established himself as a potential first-round pick. With his elite speed, explosiveness, and ability to make plays on the ball, he has positioned himself as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2025 draft class. If teams prioritize athleticism and playmaking ability, Hairston could hear his name called on Day 1 of the NFL Draft.