Scouting Profile: Matthew Golden - WR - Texas
Sales Pitch: Fluid mover with three level separation skills. Frame is on the lighter side but shows the movement and ball skills to win from all three WR spots.
*Gold Numbers Indicate NCAA T-25 for 2024*
Scouting Report
Matthew Golden is a former 4-Star recruit from the state of Texas. He spent his first two years at University of Houston before transferring to Texas for the 2024 seasons. Golden got off to a slow start with the Longhorns, but was one of their biggest bright spots in the college football playoffs with back to back 150 yard games.
Golden is a fluid flexible athlete. He is a smooth accelerator off the line of scrimmage and has the long speed to force defenses to respect him vertically. Golden has lighting quick feet that allow him to vary his release angles and tempos. He does a good job attacking defender leverage in his stems with head fakes and jabs. Golden is easily able to sink his hips and snap out of his breaks as a route runner. He is an instinctive route runner with good spatial awareness. Golden is a natural hands catcher who attacks the ball away from his frame. He took a big leap in 2024 in converting contested catch scenarios. His leaping ability and body control allows him to attack balls at their apex and keep his feet in bounds. Golden’s flexible frame is able to contort and adjust to errant throws. He is a former kick returner from his time at Houston, and it shows up after the catch where his quick first step allows him to make defenders miss in space.
Golden has below average size for the position. His lean frame is easily pushed around by long physical defenders. He can struggle to get off aggressive jam press and is easily widened to the sideline. DBs who keep their leverage are able to wall him off at the top of routes. Golden is going to have to improve his hand usage at the next level so he can clear his frame and beat longer DBs. His lack of strength also shows up as a ball carrier where he struggles to break tackles. Teams will have questions about Golden’s durability at his size. Especially since he has missed time in multiple seasons so far.
Golden projects as a starting Z WR. He does have the versatility to rotate through all three starting spots given his athleticism and route running. Golden lacks the size of a traditional WR1 but has the all the physical tools to be a lead target in the modern game. He projects as a late first rounder with some upside coming off a breakout junior campaign.