Matthew Golden

Matthew Golden, Texas, WR, 5110, 191, Jr.

Overview

Golden is an immediate deep threat with advanced route-running skills and the ability to separate at all levels. He excels on the outside, creating explosive plays with vertical speed and sharp breaks. His stock rose after dominant performances in the College Football Playoff, including 162 yards in the SEC Championship and a game-winning touchdown in the Peach Bowl. Golden projects as a mid-first-round pick for teams seeking explosive elements in their passing attack, particularly in timing-based offenses that maximize his route precision and vertical ability. His reliable hands, separation skills, and big-play potential give him one of the highest upsides in the class, though he needs to add strength to his frame.

Background

A Houston native, Golden played at Klein Cain High School before excelling at the University of Houston and then Texas. He set freshman records at Houston with seven touchdowns in 2022 and scored 13 receiving touchdowns plus two kickoff return touchdowns in two seasons. In 2024, he started all 15 games for Texas, delivering standout performances in the SEC Championship and Peach Bowl. Golden brings impressive track speed to the field, with a 4.30-second 40-yard dash. He amassed 3,242 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns in high school, earning All-State honors, and also excelled in track. His evolution from a vertical threat at Houston to a versatile receiver in Texas demonstrates his dedication to expanding his route repertoire.

Scouting Report

Pros

Matthew Golden presents a compelling package of skills that translate well to the modern NFL. His elite speed and acceleration make him an immediate threat on vertical routes, forcing defenses to respect his ability to stretch the field. He couples this raw speed with an advanced understanding of route tempo, allowing him to create separation with subtle changes of pace and precise footwork. As a natural hands-catcher, Golden exhibits impressive body control and the ability to adjust to off-target throws, maintaining possession even in contested situations. His explosiveness extends beyond route-running, as he demonstrates the vision and agility of a kick returner after the catch, consistently turning short receptions into significant gains. Golden is a nasty route runner who sells his double moves with conviction, and his proven ability as a kick returner adds valuable versatility. At the catch point, Golden is competitive, showing great timing and body control to high-point the ball.

Cons

Despite his impressive skillset, Matthew Golden has areas where improvement is needed to maximize his potential at the professional level. One key area is his physical development; adding bulk to his frame will be essential for withstanding the physicality of NFL corners and maintaining his positioning throughout routes. He also exhibits occasional concentration drops, which can lead to missed opportunities and inconsistent play. Refining his blocking technique is another area of focus, as he currently struggles to sustain engagement and can be overpowered by defensive backs. His medical history, which includes a foot surgery in 2023, raises some durability concerns that teams will likely scrutinize. Lastly, Golden currently relies heavily on his speed and quickness off the line, and expanding his repertoire of release moves will be important for consistently winning against more sophisticated defensive schemes.

Before Texas:

Golden made a significant impact in two seasons at Houston, showcasing his receiving and return abilities. He accumulated nearly 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, while also establishing himself as one of the nation's premier kick returners, earning All-America recognition and scoring twice on kickoff returns. He was named to the FOX Sports Midseason All-America Second Team and selected ESPN Midseason All-America Honorable Mention, both as a returner in 2023. He also earned Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 18) after a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown versus TCU. He was also named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list, Athlon Preseason All-Big 12 First Team, and Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team.

High School

A highly-regarded four-star recruit, Golden excelled at Klein Cain High School, amassing over 3,000 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. He earned all-state honors, three-time all-district, and academic all-district honoree. He was an honorable mention 6A All-State selection by the Texas Sports Writers Association in 2021, tabbed Offensive MVP and first-team all-district of District 15-6A.