Troy Hairston II Bio
Troy Hairston II is an American professional football fullback. He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas as a linebacker and defensive end and was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2022. After making the Texans’ roster out of training camp, he transitioned from defense to offense and earned a regular role as a fullback.
Hairston later joined the Cleveland Browns on a reserve/future contract in January 2025. His career arc from undrafted college defender to NFL fullback is unusual and reflects the kind of position flexibility valued by modern special teams and short-yardage units.
Early Life and Background
Troy Hairston II was born on December 8, 1998, in Detroit, Michigan. He is of Panamanian descent through his mother. He grew up in the Detroit area and attended Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Michigan, where he developed into a college-level linebacker prospect.
At Seaholm, Hairston played on the defensive side of the ball, the position he would continue to play through his first few college seasons. His combination of size, listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 245 pounds, and physicality made him a fit for linebacker and defensive end work at the next level.
After high school, Hairston committed to Central Michigan University, joining the Chippewas football program in 2018. His Detroit-area roots and Seaholm foundation helped set the stage for a productive college career.
Path to American Football
Hairston’s path to a professional football career began at Central Michigan, where he was used as a linebacker and defensive end. As a freshman in 2018, he appeared in 11 games and recorded five tackles, four of them solo, providing an early glimpse of his playing potential. In 2019, he appeared in all 14 games and started two, finishing the season with 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two quarterback sacks, and was named a game captain against Western Michigan.
In 2020, Hairston broke out as one of the top defensive players in the Mid-American Conference. He earned co-MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors after leading the conference with 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. He was also named to the All-MAC first team by Phil Steele and to the third team by Pro Football Focus, with standout games including 11 tackles against Eastern Michigan and seven tackles with two sacks against Toledo.
Hairston continued his strong play in 2021, starting all 13 games and leading the Chippewas with 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks. His 17 tackles for loss ranked 13th nationally that season, and he earned All-MAC first-team honors for the second consecutive year, along with second-team recognition from Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus.
Troy Hairston II Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Hairston’s college career was built at Central Michigan, where he grew from a freshman reserve into one of the conference’s most disruptive defensive linemen. Across four seasons, he progressed from a rotational linebacker to a full-time starter, finishing his senior year as the team’s leader in tackles for loss and sacks. His consistent production helped him earn multiple All-MAC honors and national recognition in 2021.
Going into the 2022 NFL draft, Hairston was not selected, but his tape as a pass rusher and run defender drew enough interest for him to be signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent. He entered the league as a defensive prospect before his positional role shifted during his rookie training camp.
Houston Texans Breakthrough (2022–2024)
After signing with the Texans as an undrafted free agent, Hairston switched positions to fullback during training camp. He went on to beat out veteran Andy Janovich for a spot on Houston’s 53-man roster and became one of only three undrafted rookies to make the team that year, a clear sign of the organization’s belief in his toughness and special-teams value.
In 2022, Hairston began establishing himself as a dependable lead blocker and core special-teams player. His listed size of 5 feet 11 inches and 245 pounds translated well to the fullback role, where physicality at the point of attack is essential.
On August 1, 2023, Hairston’s momentum was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve with a herniated disc, a setback that required extended recovery time. He returned to the Texans in 2024 but was released on August 27, 2024, before being re-signed to the team’s practice squad later that same season.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a fullback, Hairston’s strengths come from his defensive-line background, including his leverage, hand use, and willingness to engage in tight quarters. His experience as a college pass rusher helped him develop the upper-body strength and finishing mentality that NFL teams look for in lead blockers and short-yardage personnel.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining early milestones of Hairston’s professional career was making the Texans’ 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2022 and beating out a veteran for the fullback job. He also earned MAC co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2020 and two straight All-MAC first-team selections in 2020 and 2021.
Troy Hairston II Career Wins
Hairston’s verified on-field production is rooted in his college career at Central Michigan, where he racked up consistent tackle, sack, and tackle-for-loss totals. His NFL statistics through 2023 include 5 receptions for 19 receiving yards, reflecting his usage in short-area passing and special-teams roles with the Houston Texans.
MAC Highlights
In the Mid-American Conference, Hairston was a two-time first-team All-MAC selection in 2020 and 2021, and he was named co-MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. His senior season in 2021 was his most decorated, when he led Central Michigan with 17 tackles for loss and nine sacks while starting all 13 games.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond conference honors, Hairston’s most notable professional performance came in his rookie year, when he earned a roster spot over a veteran and held it through the regular season. His transition from college defender to NFL fullback stands as a key performance milestone in his early pro career.
Troy Hairston II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hairston is of Panamanian descent through his mother, a heritage that connects his family roots to Central America. He was raised in the Detroit, Michigan area, where football has long been a central part of community life. His upbringing in the region helped shape his early love for the sport.
Personal Life
Troy Hairston II was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and later attended school in Birmingham, Michigan. Public information about his immediate family, marital status, and personal relationships is limited, and he tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight while focusing on his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
Hairston signed a reserve/future contract with the Cleveland Browns on January 28, 2025, giving him a path back to a 53-man roster for the new league year. The move represented a fresh start after his release and practice-squad stint with the Houston Texans.
On August 3, 2025, however, Hairston was waived by the Browns, interrupting his bid to secure a fullback role in Cleveland. His status entering the regular season remained unsettled at that point, and his next opportunity was expected to come through another team’s practice squad or roster move.
Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, Hairston’s experience on special teams and as a versatile fullback continues to give him a clear professional profile. Whether he lands back on an active roster or develops further as a depth piece, his path from Detroit high schooler to undrafted NFL rookie to multi-team veteran remains a notable football story.