Matthew Golden

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Matthew Golden
refer to caption
Golden with the Texas Longhorns in 2024
No. 22 – Green Bay Packers
Position:Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (2003-08-01) August 1, 2003 (age 22)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:191 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Klein Cain (Harris County, Texas)
College:
NFL draft:2025: 1st round, 23rd pick
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Matthew Golden (born August 1, 2003) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Houston Cougars and Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life

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Golden was born in Houston, Texas[1] and attended Klein Cain High School, where he caught 167 receptions for 3,242 yards and 32 touchdowns, while also rushing for 112 yards and four touchdowns.[2] A four star prospect, he initially committed to play college football at Texas Christian University,[3] but later flipped his commitment to the University of Houston.[4][5]

College career

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Houston

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Ahead of his freshman season in 2022, Golden earned a starting spot.[6] In week 12 of the 2022 season, he brought in eight passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns in a win over East Carolina.[7] Golden finished the season with 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns.[8] He was listed on the Walter Camp Award watchlist for the 2023 season.[9] In week 3 of the 2023 season, Golden hauled in four passes for 56 yards, while also returning three kicks for 132 yards and a touchdown, in a loss versus TCU, earning Big 12 Conference special teams player of the week honors.[10] In week 7, he returned a kick 99 yards for a touchdown in a win over West Virginia.[11]

On December 7, 2023, Golden announced that he would be entering the transfer portal.[12]

Texas

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On December 16, 2023, Golden announced that he would be transferring to Texas.[13] In the 2024 regular season, he led the team with 49 receptions for 787 yards and eight touchdowns. Texas lost to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) championship game and advanced to the College football Playoffs, beating Clemson and Arizona State. On January 13, 2025, Golden declared for the 2025 NFL draft.[14]

Statistics

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College statistics
Season Team Games Receiving Kick returns
GP GS Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD
2022 Houston 11 8 38 584 15.4 7 5 116 23.2 0
2023 Houston 9 9 38 404 10.6 6 9 321 35.7 2
2024 Texas 16 16 58 987 17.0 9 14 285 20.4 0
Career 36 33 134 1,975 14.7 22 28 722 25.8 2

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split
5 ft 11 in
(1.80 m) 		191 lb
(87 kg) 		30+5⁄8 in
(0.78 m) 		9+1⁄2 in
(0.24 m)		 4.29 s 1.49 s 2.49 s
All values from NFL Combine[15][16]

Golden was selected in the first round with the 23rd overall in the 2025 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He was the first wide receiver selected in the first round by the Packers since Javon Walker in 2002.[17] Golden signed his rookie contract on May 19, 2025.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Brugler, Dane. "The Beast: 2025 NFL Draft Guide" (PDF). The Athletic. p. 84. Retrieved April 9, 2025.
  2. ^ "Matthew Golden's Stats". MaxPreps.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023. [better source needed]
  3. ^ Baldwin, Chris (August 5, 2022). "How Matthew Golden Quietly Wowed No Hype UH Coach Dana Holgorsen and Became a 7-Year-Old's Hero — The Real Story of UH's Next Star". Paper City Magazine. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Warren, Peter (December 15, 2021). "4-star WR Matthew Golden stays home, commits to Houston". On3.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "Matthew Golden, Texas Longhorns, Wide Receiver". 247Sports. Retrieved April 20, 2025.
  6. ^ Duarte, Joseph (August 4, 2022). "UH freshman receiver Matthew Golden already penciled in as starter". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  7. ^ Duarte, Joseph (November 19, 2022). "Houston's defense makes statement in win over East Carolina". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  8. ^ Yates, Carter (August 25, 2023). "Matthew Golden has big shoes to fill as Houston's No. 1 WR". Dave Campbell's Texas Football. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  9. ^ Duarte, Joseph (August 2, 2023). "UH sophomore receiver Matthew Golden welcomes all balls thrown his way". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  10. ^ Duarte, Joseph (September 18, 2023). "UH's Matthew Golden named Big 12 special teams player of the week". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Duarte, Joseph (October 13, 2023). "Cougars report card: Grading UH after win over West Virginia". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  12. ^ Leland, Starns (December 7, 2023). "Golden, other UH starters enter transfer portal". The Daily Cougar. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  13. ^ Cook, Joe (December 16, 2023). "Houston WR Matthew Golden to transfer to Texas". On3.com. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  14. ^ Wells, Justin (January 13, 2025). "Matthew Golden declares for the NFL Draft". On3.com. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
  15. ^ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Matthew Golden Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  16. ^ "Matthew Golden College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  17. ^ Spofford, Mike (April 24, 2025). "2025 NFL Draft: Packers select Texas WR Matthew Golden in 1st round, No. 23 overall". Packers.com.
  18. ^ Kruse, Zach (May 19, 2025). "Packers sign first-round pick Matthew Golden to rookie contract". Packers Wire. USA Today. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
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