Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Maxwell Hairston CB Kentucky
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (57%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Zone CB | |
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.48 seconds (57%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.5 / 100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 68.7 | |
| Tackling: |
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65% |
| Run Defense: |
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65% |
| Coverage: |
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82% |
| Zone: |
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75% |
| Man/Press: |
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81% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#98
Position rank:
#20
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| College Games: 23 College Snaps: 1059 | ||
ESPN RATING: 74/100
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247 RATING: 86/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.6 (92%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Coby Bryant - Cincinnati |
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90% |
| Greg Newsome II - Northwestern |
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89% |
| Nehemiah Pritchett - Auburn |
|
85% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Maxwell Hairston, a cornerback from Kentucky, emerged as one of the top defensive backs in college football during his sophomore season. Hailing from West Bloomfield, Michigan, Hairston was a three-star recruit who quickly made his mark with the Wildcats. In his breakout 2023 campaign, he started all 13 games and led the SEC with five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.Hairston's impressive stats extended beyond his ball-hawking skills. He recorded 68 tackles, ranking third on the team, and led with six pass breakups. His performance earned him Second Team All-SEC honors from both coaches and media, as well as Honorable Mention All-America recognition. Hairston's standout game came against Vanderbilt, where he tied an SEC record with two pick-sixes, earning him SEC Defensive Player of the Week and other national accolades.
A multi-sport athlete in high school, Hairston showcased his versatility by playing both defensive back and wide receiver. He led West Bloomfield High School to the 2020 Division I state championship, earning first-team All-State honors. Hairston's athletic bloodlines run deep, with several family members having played collegiate and professional sports.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Ball hawk with plus instincts - shows a knack for reading QB eyes and jumping routes
- Fluid hip swivel and backpedal - transitions smoothly from pedal to plant-and-drive
- Long-levered frame - uses wingspan effectively to disrupt passing lanes and play the ball
- High football IQ - demonstrates advanced pattern recognition and spatial awareness in zone
- Sure tackler in space - takes proper angles and wraps up consistently in the open field
- Scheme versatile - shows proficiency in both man and zone concepts, excels in zone
- Turnover machine - consistently finds the leather and flips the field
- Motor never stops - plays sideline to sideline with relentless pursuit
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Thin-framed - needs to pack on muscle mass to withstand the rigors of the NFL trenches
- Press technique needs refinement - can struggle to re-route receivers at the line of scrimmage
- Long speed is a concern - may struggle to recover against burners on vertical routes
- Lacks sand in his pants - can get washed out by physical blockers in the run game
- Green in terms of experience - limited starting reps raise questions about his developmental curve
Scouting Report: Summary
Maxwell Hairston's skill set screams zone corner at the next level. His exceptional ball skills and route recognition should make him an immediate contributor in Cover 2 or Cover 3 heavy schemes. While his versatility allows him to line up outside or in the slot, Hairston might find his early niche in nickel packages as he acclimates to the NFL's physical demands.Defensive coordinators running pattern-match concepts will salivate over Hairston's football IQ and playmaking instincts. His man coverage chops, though serviceable, need polishing against NFL-caliber route runners, particularly in press situations. Hairston's tackling prowess and willingness to stick his nose in the run game should earn him early downs, even as he refines his coverage skills.
Hairston's trajectory at Kentucky and production in the SEC gauntlet hint at a high ceiling. Improving his press technique and adding functional mass could unlock his potential as an impact starter, capable of creating momentum-shifting plays and providing valuable scheme flexibility in an NFL secondary.
Written By:
Wyatt Brooks (SEC)
How other scouting services rate Maxwell Hairston (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
64.4
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
16.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.