Israel Hairston is a wide receiver for Virginia Tech from Vinton, VA, where he attended William Byrd High School. At William Byrd under head coach Brad Lutz, Hairston lettered four years and served as a three-year team captain. As a senior, he recorded 133 carries for 1,211 yards and 15 touchdowns, completed 102 of 170 passes for 1,440 yards and 13 touchdowns, and posted 43 tackles, one tackle for loss, five interceptions, and one touchdown as a defensive back. He earned first-team All-Blue Ridge District honors at quarterback and defensive back, Region 3D Offensive Player of the Year, and VHSL all-state second-team quarterback. Hairston redshirted during the 2024 season and did not see game action in 2025.