Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston is among college football’s best-kept secrets. Hairston thrived in 2023, his first year as a starter. The West Bloomfield, Michigan native recorded an SEC-best five interceptions last season, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
Hairston recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. Hairston discussed his breakout season, stepping up as a vocal leader this year, marrying technique with athleticism, playing zone and man coverage, and more.
JM: You really broke out of your shell last season in your first year as a starter. Was there a mindset like ‘yeah, I'm running with this opportunity’?
Maxwell Hairston: Yeah, there definitely was a mindset I built up in the spring when we were competing for that starting spot. I took that time to really focus and dial in on the details. That helped me elevate my game to another level.
I was really dialing in on my weaknesses and I worked hard to improve. I understood which aspects of my game needed to be fine-tuned. I took advantage of the opportunities that came my way.
JM: Your ball skills jump off the screen. You ranked fifth in the entire nation with an SEC-best five interceptions. Two of those were returned for touchdowns and you also broke up eight passes. I mean, wow. Talk to me about where those ball skills come from.
Maxwell Hairston: I played wide receiver growing up. That’s where the ball skills come from. It definitely helped with that. I feel like I can catch any ball thrown my way just like a receiver can.
I have great instincts for the position as well. I trust what I see. That comes from my preparation. Being able to study and really break down film, all of that allows me to play fast and free with an edge.
When I do see something, or I have a natural feel for something, I’m not afraid to trigger and trust my instincts.
JM: Would you credit technique or athleticism for that ball production and approach? How do you marry the two without sacrificing one or the other?
Maxwell Hairston: I think the majority of last year’s production was more athleticism than technique. It was my first year as a starter and I wasn’t as technical as I am now going into this season.
Being a natural athlete has allowed me a lot of time to hone in on my technique this offseason. I understand what I see. That helps me know when I can get away with just being an athlete, if you know what I mean. Sometimes, I can make plays with athleticism. Other times, my improved technique is making those plays for me.
I’m trusting my technique with more confidence this season.
JM: Speaking of, this is a big season for you. With guys like Andru Phillips and Trevin Wallace no longer in the room, are you stepping up as more of a vocal leader for this defense?
Maxwell Hairston: Yeah, I definitely am. Dru Phillips was an older guy for us last year and I need to take on that role for us this year. It’s now my responsibility to be more vocal and make sure I’m leading the younger guys.
I’m dropping knowledge, the type of gems that Dru Phillips and others taught me. I want to be present for the young guys because I know how it feels to be the new kid in college. You might be a fish out of water if you’re not playing in your hometown state.
I don’t want anybody to feel like they have to isolate themselves. They can always reach out to me and lean on my leadership.
JM: You’re stepping into that role. They mix coverages at Kentucky. You've played both man and zone coverage. Which feels most natural to you? What's your preference?
Maxwell Hairston: Man coverage feels more natural to me because that’s basically all I played in high school. I was just moving around covering the best receiver (laughs). It was that simple.
I like that defensive coordinator Brad White mixes man and zone coverage though. We have man downs and we have Cover 3 downs.
I really do appreciate Cover 3 because it gives me a chance to just go out there and play ball, especially when I’m executing my assignment. I don’t have to think about what I’m doing. I can literally just go out there and play football.
JM: I'll put you in a scenario then. Say it's 3rd-and-long with the game on the line. Would you rather be manned up versus the best receiver, or playing zone with a chance to make a play on the ball near the sticks?
Maxwell Hairston: Honestly, if it’s up to me, we’re manning up (laughs). The thing about playing man coverage in that scenario though is that I’m going to be smart about it. If it’s 3rd-and-long and the game is on the line, they’re obviously trying to get beyond the sticks and score a touchdown.
I’m going to slow my tempo down and catch up before the receiver reaches the sticks before he can make any breaks. I’m going to stay connected and make sure I don’t afford him a free route.
I might feel tempted to press him if I’m feeling bold (laughs).
JM: We love that. Do you approach bigger receivers in coverage differently than you do smaller, shifter ones?
Maxwell Hairston: I kinda enjoy covering bigger receivers more than the smaller, faster types. Those bigger guys just want to muck you the entire game (laughs), but technique always beats muscle in my mind.
The more you try to bully me, the more I’m going to throw off your timing with your quarterback. With those smaller guys, they can be a headache, man. If you can get your hands on them, they can’t do much though.
I like going back and forth between covering bigger and smaller guys, but the bigger ones, those are the matchups that are always in my favor.
JM: You also love to tackle. You had 68 tackles last season, ranking third on the defense. Not every cornerback likes to tackle, but you do. Where does that mentality come from?
Maxwell Hairston: It’s funny you say that because I was definitely one of those cornerbacks that hated tackling coming out of high school (laughs). I really just wanted to cover. I felt like, I'm a corner, I cover people for a living, I don’t tackle (laughs). That’s the linebacker’s job!
Everything changed once I got to the SEC though. Watching the games, they target corners in the SEC, man. You’re going to get embarrassed if you’re not tackling and I don’t want to get embarrassed. I’ll always choose not to get embarrassed (laughs).
I chose to lock in as a tackler. I work on my wrap-up technique all the time. I spent last spring working on that and building up my aggression as a tackler. I do a better job finishing in the right areas now.
I love tackling now. I embraced it. I have no problem with getting my nose dirty. When I had my first 10-tackle game, I was happier than when I had an interception (laughs).
JM: That's funny as well. We appreciate your honesty. What do you think was the best game you played in a Kentucky jersey last season?
Maxwell Hairston: I have to go with the Vanderbilt game. I chose that game because we played Vanderbilt in 2022 as well and I was a young, vulnerable player then. They took their shots at me, and I understand why because I was a redshirt freshman coming into the game.
They targeted me, went after me in the fourth quarter. It made sense, but it still pissed me off.
This past season, that game meant something to me because they were our first SEC opponent and my first game in the SEC as a starter. It just happened to be Vanderbilt.
I low-key owed them one. I took that week a little more seriously than every other week and it paid dividends (laughs).
JM: That’s a great story. This has been outstanding. We've appreciated your time today. In closing, what are Maxwell Hairston’s goals for the 2024 season?
Maxwell Hairston: My goal for the upcoming 2024 season is to become a better teammate and better leader. I want to do something special. I’m so happy to be back for another year with my brothers. We’re going to achieve greatness week in, week out.
