Ohio woman sues NFL first-round draft pick over alleged sexual assault

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — An Ohio woman filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Buffalo Bills’ first-round draft pick over alleged sexual assault while the two were in college at the University of Kentucky.

The woman, who was a student at the university from August 2020 until May 2021, claims that she was sexually assaulted by Maxwell Hairston when the two lived in the same residence hall, according to the lawsuit.

Hairston was drafted by the Bills with the 30th pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. In April, General Manager Brandon Beane said the team was aware of the allegations, and said they “fully investigated” the claims and there “was zero information saying this happened,” according to Nexstar’s WIVB in Buffalo.

The lawsuit alleges that the two met in early 2021 outside of their residence hall, and during a second encounter that day, she became uncomfortable when he tried to “isolate her in his bedroom.”

The woman left Hairston’s dorm room and later received a message from him, requesting to meet up for sexual activities, according to the lawsuit. She declined.

The two had no further interactions until March 24, 2021, when Hairston knocked on her door uninvited, the lawsuit states. After stating that she was not interested, Hairston allegedly entered the woman’s room before the door could close and ignored her disinterest.

Hairston is accused of following the woman into her bedroom and sexually assaulting her, the lawsuit alleges. The woman reportedly filed a police report within hours.

The woman ultimately transferred out of the University of Kentucky due to “emotional and psychological harm,” according to the lawsuit. The woman’s transfer “disrupted her academic progress and resulted in additional educational, emotional, and financial burdens, which continue to affect her well-being and long-term career trajectory.”

The woman is seeking a jury trial. While her name is listed in the lawsuit, NBC4 is not naming her because of a policy not to name sexual assault victims.

The team told WIVB on Wednesday that it would not be addressing the lawsuit, referring to the general manager’s April comments. The NFL also declined to comment.

Hairston, a Michigan native, played three seasons at Kentucky and was named an All-SEC cornerback twice. He scored three touchdowns off interceptions and had 87 career tackles as a Wildcat.