Sow the seeds and reap the rewards. Kentucky Wildcats’ stalwart and defensive back Maxwell Hairston’s ascension from prospective prodigy to proven professional is mere hours away from being realized. He’s on the verge of being drafted, likely in the first round, no less, to the NFL. Hairston’s emanating a glowy halo of success in reaching this juncture. But peel back the layer of sheen. You’d see the dull, lackluster graft his parents put in to facilitate his dreams. In an exclusive EssentiallySports interview leading up to the NFL Draft, an emotional Maxwell Hairston spoke to us about the driving force behind it all as he prepares for his “Mama, I made it!” moment on that podium with Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The star ratings that recruiting services assign to players coming out of high school aren’t factual. But they sure are a fairly decent approximation. Maxwell Hairston was a 3-star prospect. This means that he wasn’t eyed as a future NFL player. Yet, here he is. In Green Bay, he is slated to go in round 1 by most draftniks and analysts. The process of bridging this gulf between being an undermined 3-star and a green room attendee on night 1 began a very long time ago, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Hairston. Maxwell gave us at EssentiallySports the scoop on how grateful he is for his parents’ support and contributions.
“How important is family to you, at this amazing time of your life? Would you say your mom’s been one of your biggest cheerleaders?” we asked Maxwell Hairston. His reply was equal parts profound, insightful and uber-poweful. “Honestly, family is everything to me. Throughout this process, and just in life in general, you know. My parents invested so much in me growing up with sports. Multiple sports. Driving me around the country, flying around the country for AAU tournaments [and] track tournaments. So, my family- they’re like my support system and without them, I probably wouldn’t even be here right now. I’m just so thankful that I’m allowed to bring them through this process with me,” said Hairston.
Maxwell Hairston spent 3 years contending with and neutralizing SEC wide receivers. The likes of Ricky Pearsall and Ladd McConkey, both former first-round draft picks themselves, have had a go at him. But Hairston stepped up for Kentucky’s secondary each time. The proof is in the pudding. In his two seasons as a starter, he was an All-SEC selection both times. Opposition QBs were second-guessing, even airing the football in his general direction. But if there’s one thing more onerous than some of the country’s best wideouts, it’s that green room at the draft. A palpable atmosphere, unlike anywhere in the world, as you wait your turn. If you could bottle up the stress that reverberates across that room and the sweat dripping down those foreheads, you could solve the world’s energy crisis. Hairston will indeed be in attendance, and he’s happy his parents can be part of it.
During his exclusive EssentiallySports interview, we also asked Maxwell Hairston what it means for him that his family gets to be right by his side as he realizes his dream on draft night. Which, by extension, means that they receive gratification for their labor. “Man, this moment means everything. This is truly the biggest moment of my life. Honestly, I’m so excited that I can bring my family along with me through this journey, throughout this process. Thursday is truly going to be a dream come true,” said an emotionally-charged Hairston. The novelty and pageantry of the draft often make the fans gloss over how those 32 players are seeing the rest of their lives pan out in real-time. This actually segues into the pertinent question. Which franchise is Maxwell Hairston likely headed to?
A couple of in-the-know analysts are aligned in their projections for Maxwell Hairston
Needless to say, we couldn’t quite probe into particular teams and landing spots during our exclusive EssentiallySports interview with Maxwell Hairston. However, we do have a fair idea of where he’ll next deploy his talents. Mock drafts have perennially divided people into separate factions. There is some overlapping between them, sort of like a Venn diagram. There are those who consider certain people’s projections gospel and live by them. Then there are those who consider it a futile activity dissociated with reality, a gimmick. Finally, there are those in the middle who realize they’re mere projections but do pay heed to them. After all, these draftniks do have some insider information. There’s no smoke without fire. So when a multitude of people make the exact same prediction about where Hairston’s going, you’ve got to believe there’s reason to believe so.
Maxwell Hairston should probably acclimate to that infamous Green Bay weather while he’s there for the draft because he’s possibly going to stay there. Todd McShay and Daniel Jeremiah, two of the best and most plugged-in draft analysts in the game, both have Hairston slated to go to the Packers 23rd overall in the final rendition of their mock drafts. This does make a ton of sense, actually. Their star cornerback, Jaire Alexander, is reportedly on the trade block and has been marred with injuries for a few years now. A replacement is requisite, and Hairston is a more than capable successor.
Being a Michigan native, Hairston wouldn’t be too far away from home either. So Robin and Marvin Hairston, his parents, can make that pilgrimage to Lambeau Field rather often. Wouldn’t that be special? As a Packer fan, I, for one, welcome the idea of Hairston in that secondary. Will it transpire into reality? Not too long before we find out. Hairston has also, vicariously, left a parting gift for Kentucky as he bid them adieu, which he revealed to us at EssentiallySports during his interview.
The post (EXCLUSIVE) Draft Prospect Maxwell Hairston Pays Emotional Tribute to Parents Before Entering NFL appeared first on EssentiallySports.