Latest news with #Hairston
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Advanced metric says this Bills rookie was 'favorite pick Day 1'
2025 NFL draft: Advanced metric says this Bills rookie was 'favorite pick Day 1' When an advanced metric is used or cited in affirming a player, it can be a good indication of what that individual may contribute in and beyond the numbers. In the case of Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston, whom the Bills selected at No. 30 overall in the first round of the NFL Draft, he has a notable creator of one of those standards of measure in his corner. The mathematician behind the Relative Athletic Score (RAS) had an exciting assessment by way of his test results and advanced metrics upon Hairston being drafted by the Bills. Kent Lee Platte, who created the RAS , spoke about his evaluation of Hairston, following an NFL Combine testing and the Bills' draft selection. "My favorite pick day one in terms of the player, the team fit, and the profile is Maxwell Hairston," said Platte. "I've been higher than him than most, but that's kinda the point. He's a scrappy corner with top-tier athleticism who makes it his business to be all up in his opponents' business." RAS suggests the Bills drafted a physically elite performer, his 9.63 RAS (out of a possible 10.00) ranks 104th-best out of 2,761 cornerback prospects from 1987 through 2025. Though considered slightly undersized at 5-foot-11, has elite athleticism as is evident in his Combine performance. The defensive back ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.28s) among all players there this year, and his vertical and broad jumps both were Top 3 marks among players at his position. According to RAS, Hairston's composite speed grade is "elite" as is his composite explosion grade. Maxwell Hairston Physical Profile Height: 5' 11"Weight: 183 lbsRAS: 9.63 (10.00)40-yard Dash: 4.2810-yard Split: 1.5Broad Jump: 10' 9"Vertical Jump: 39.5"
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 NFL Draft: Ole Miss star Jaxson Dart reverses course, will not attend event and sit in green room
Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart will not be at the 2025 NFL Draft when his name is called. Dart — who was originally expected to attend the event — apparently changed his mind about that decision with the draft just around the corner, according to ESPN. Dart was initially listed as one of the 17 players attending the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay. The NFL put out an updated list of attendees Thursday, and two players — Dart and Georgia pass rusher Mykel Williams — were no longer on the list. Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston was a new addition, meaning a total of 16 players will be at the 2025 NFL Draft. No reason was given for Dart's decision to pull out of the event. The prospects who attend the draft are typically players expected to go in the first round. That appears to be the case again this year, as a number of the prospects attending the draft are listed as top-32 prospects on Yahoo Sports' big board. Only two players on the list of updated attendees fall outside Yahoo Sports' top-32, Hairston and Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe. Hairston ranks 55 on Yahoo Sports' big board. Milroe ranks 69th. Dart, meanwhile, ranks 70th on that list. If he did attend the 2025 NFL Draft, he would have been the lowest-ranked Yahoo Sports prospect at the event. That doesn't necessarily mean much. Quarterbacks tend to get pushed up in the NFL Draft, and it's likely Dart and Milroe both go higher than anticipated during the event. For Dart, however, taking his name off the list of attendees could signal that he isn't going as early as he expected. Prospects who attend the draft run the risk of increased scrutiny and attention if they unexpectedly fall on draft boards. Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn are two of the best examples of that phenomenon. Both players fell much farther than expected during the NFL Draft, and sad shots of them waiting in the green room dominated the conversation on draft night. It's possible Dart wanted to avoid that situation and decided he was better off enjoying his moment elsewhere. It's also possible Dart had other reasons for declining the event. Maybe he simply wanted to be surrounded by friends and family? We don't know. His decision doesn't necessarily have to do with his draft stock. After throwing for 29 touchdowns, six interceptions and an SEC-leading 4,279 yards, Dart will hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. While there are questions about how he'll transition to the league, Dart has quality traits. That should be enough to entice certain general managers, especially those who can afford to let Dart sit behind a quality veteran for a season while he adjusts to the NFL. It doesn't really matter where Dart is when that call comes. It will be a special moment for him regardless of his location.
Black America Web
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
JJ Hairston's New Chapter: Centering Everything Around God's Purpose
Source: Reach Media / Urban One On a recent episode of the Nightly Spirit with Darlene McCoy, gospel luminary JJ Hairston opened up about a powerful transformation in his life and ministry. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Known for hits that have shaped modern gospel music, Hairston shared how, over the past few years, his focus has shifted away from chasing relevance within the industry to wholeheartedly pursuing God's will at every moment. 'You can be so focused on being relevant, that you lose sight of being effective and aligned with God's purpose,' Hairston explained. Now, his heart is set on ensuring that every performance and project is a reflection of divine direction. A key part of this spiritual journey is the impact of his wife's 'Ancient Oil' conference, birthed five years ago. What started with a single speaker has grown into a remarkable gathering with powerful voices like T. Renee Glenn, Pastor John Hannah, Apostle Brandon Flag, and Latrice Ryan, all working together to create life-changing encounters. READ MORE STORIES FROM THE NIGHTLY SPIRIT: Looking ahead, Hairston is preparing to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his group's first album in 2025. This landmark will feature a special project that blends refreshed classics with new tracks, highlighting both musical growth and restored relationships within the group. 'We came together to record, but more importantly, we rekindled old bonds and witnessed real healing,' he shared. For gospel fans and believers alike, JJ Hairston's renewed focus promises new music, authentic ministry, and a celebration of faith rooted in purpose. SEE ALSO
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kentucky Wildcat Standout Named Top 100 NFL Draft Pick
Maxwell Hairston's path to becoming a first-round NFL Draft pick was anything but predictable. After a strong but injury-interrupted college career at Kentucky, the cornerback used a standout NFL Combine performance to vault himself into the national spotlight. Selected 30th overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2025 NFL Draft, Hairston has since been ranked No. 52 on ESPN's top 100 draft picks list, a reflection of both his upside and fit within Buffalo's defensive scheme. Draft Stock on the Rise At the outset of the draft process, Hairston was widely viewed as a second-round prospect. Questions lingered about his durability following a shoulder injury that cost him five games during his second season as a starter. But his pre-draft evaluations told a different story. Advertisement At the NFL Combine, Hairston ran a blistering 4.28-second 40-yard dash—one of the fastest times of any participant and posted a 39.5-inch vertical leap. Those numbers helped reframe the conversation around him, emphasizing his elite athleticism and positional versatility. His performance quickly elevated his draft status and turned him into a legitimate first-round candidate. Fit and Value in Buffalo The Buffalo Bills selected Hairston with the 30th overall pick, aiming to address a critical need at cornerback. ESPN's Matt Miller, who ranked Hairston 52nd on his top 100 draft picks list, highlighted the strategic nature of the selection. 'The Bills wanted to find impact defensive players who could hold up against AFC rivals like the Chiefs and Ravens,' Miller wrote. 'Hairston is a fast, feisty corner whose footwork was among the best in the draft.' Advertisement Although many analysts projected Hairston to be taken in the 20s, Buffalo's front office saw value in securing him at the end of the first round. His blend of speed, awareness, and scheme versatility made him an ideal fit for head coach Sean McDermott's defense, which leans heavily on zone concepts. Ready to Contribute Early With the departure of key players in the secondary and the signings of veterans Tre'Davious White and Dane Jackson serving more as leadership depth, Hairston will have a legitimate opportunity to compete for a starting job in his rookie year. His college tape demonstrated an ability to make plays on the ball and stick with receivers in both man and zone coverage. Though Hairston's size, 5-foot-11 and 183 pounds, isn't prototypical, his quickness and competitive edge have consistently helped him outperform expectations. According to Pro Football Focus, 'Hairston is a feisty to develop into a CB2 type of player in the NFL.' His progression will be closely watched, not just in Buffalo, but also by fans of Kentucky football eager to see another Wildcat make an impact on Sundays.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Roanoke honors lives lost to gun violence with oak trees at local parks
ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) — The Roanoke Gun Violence Prevention Commission kicked off its 'Planting Peace,' initiative on Saturday by planting six oak trees each at both Horton and Perry Parks. The initiative honors lives lost to gun violence and each tree represents one unsolved murder case in hopes of bringing forward new information. 'Homicide is an unspeakable trauma and the fact that these unfortunately remain unsolved at this point is an added trauma,' said local pastor and GVPC co-chair Tim Harvey. Every tree will be dedicated to the family of the victim it represents in individual ceremonies to be held throughout the summer, but a few families came out Saturday to take part in the planting itself. 'The families have been crying out for so many years that it's probably just like white noise,' said Renea Taylor. 'But now, for the city to lend their voice and say, 'No, we as a city have not forgotten, these are unsolved homicides.'' Taylor lost her father to gun violence in 1998, before losing her brother the same way just seven years later. She has waited more than two decades for answers, and is hoping the Planting Peace initiative will provide them. 'I'm hoping that someone somewhere will have a level of consciousness and say, 'You know what, I saw that. I was there, or I heard about that, and it's been 20 years, 27 years, and I need to say something,'' said Taylor. 'Maybe that last piece of information is out there somewhere and maybe someone can still come forward with that piece and help close the case,' said Harvey. The family of Thomas Hairston also joined the group at Horton Park Saturday morning. They were able to pick the tree that would represent a lost husband, brother, and son, before grabbing shovels and helping with the planting itself. Fred Wiggington found guilty 'I felt like he's still alive,' said Hairston's 'bonus mom,' Juanettia Hairston. 'I know he is in our memory, but this tree is like a special symbol.' The tree could not be a more fitting symbol for Hairston. 'He had a chair sitting up in the trees behind our house where he would just go and sit and just look at nature and watch the deer go by and stuff like that,' said Thomas Hairston's wife, ToRhonda C. Hairston. 'So, this would be very special to him like it is to us.' The trees are various species of oak, and could live upwards of 150 years, standing as lasting symbols for the community and families of the victims. 'They live with this pain, year-in and year-out with an empty chair at the dining room table,' said GVPC member Catherine Koebel. 'And you feel like the community moves on. But this is a symbol to them that the community has not moved on and we do remember them and we do stand with them.' They also serve a scientific purpose, as Planting Peace organizers point out that the trees will work to lower the ambient temperature, which they hope will contribute to a decrease in gun violence. 'For every one degree increase in temperature, you actually see a direct correlation with an increase in homicides,' said Koebel. The hope is that in helping to lower the temperature in the parks they're located, the trees will also contribute to a decrease in tempers. Dates are still being set for individual dedication ceremonies, but they will all take place over the next several months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
