Matthew Golden Scouting Report

Matthew Golden, WR

Measurables

Height: 5’11

Weight: 191lbs

Classification: Junior

School: Texas

Testing Numbers

Arm: 30 5/8”

Hand: 9 1/2”

40: 4.29s

Broad: N/A

Vert: N/A

Prospect Background

For Matthew Golden, the stage has never been too big. So much so, that the coaching staff at his high school were having conversations about how he could impact the offense when he was still in middle school. It didn’t take long for him to leave an impact setting the school record with four touchdowns in his very first varsity game.

Golden was able to accumulate a multitude of accomplishments during his time at Klein Cain High School, being named Texas District 15-6A first-team selection at both WR and KR as a sophomore. He followed that up in his sophomore season by becoming the unanimous Texas District 15-6A Special Teams Player of the Year as a junior.

Golden finished his Hurricanes football career with 3,242 receiving yards across three seasons — including two 1,000-yard seasons, and 32 career touchdowns. As a multi-sport athlete, Golden also had great production in Track & Field, running a 10.93 in the 100 meters, while producing a long jump of 21 feet, 8 ½ inches as a junior.

As a four-star recruit, Golden originally committed to play at TCU, but things changed following the firing of Coach Gary Patterson. This led to the young man staying home in Houston, where he played 20 games in two seasons with 17 starts. After a productive stint as a Cougar, Golden transferred to Texas for one final collegiate season.

Stats:

Freshman:

Receptions: 38
Targets: 56
Yards: 584
TDs: 7

Sophomore

Receptions: 39
Targets: 63
Yards: 419
TDs: 6

Junior

Receptions: 58
Targets: 83
Yards: 987
TDs: 9

Alignment/Number of Snaps

Slot:

2022: 16
2023: 92
2024: 118

Outside

2022: 351
2023: 175
2024: 376

Prospect Overview:

Matthew Golden is a three-level threat, that has shown the ability to win in the short, intermediate, and vertical levels of the field on a consistent basis. Golden creates separation by utilizing what I would classify as his superpower in his speed. Though unlike most young players who at this stage in their development are learning to harness their weapon, Golden has great control of his powers almost to a fault.

The problem with Golden is that he doesn’t play at his natural speed as seen by his 4.29 forty-yard dash. However, his Track & Field background is always on display. The young man has legit wheels and as a defender, you are forced to respect his speed with the pace in which he plays the game. He has multiple gears and when he hits the second one, he will make you open up as a defender which sets up other things.

As a route runner, Golden hasn’t historically had the most versatile route tree. Though the transfer to Texas allowed him to showcase something in this area we hadn’t seen consistently. There is still room left to grow but offers a solid baseline to work with to match his skill set.

As a vertical threat, Golden is a dynamic playmaker down the field, often setting up his routes by selling false breaks. Golden gets into his breaks with ease and the false steps are limited. Though, he does have the occasional one or two where he rounds his routes it’s not something that shows up often.

It’s exciting to watch Golden work in traffic. Despite his smaller stature, his body control and concentration allow him to put himself in position to make plays on what should be uncatchable footballs. Golden can play above the rim if needed and is more than willing to go and get the football. He’s a pure-hands catcher who has always made the most out of his opportunities outside of a weird stretch of focus drops to begin his sophomore season.

Golden offers alignment versatility with work from both the slot and the outside. Though he can be a bit inconsistent against press coverage. He has been bullied a bit in this area but holds his own in battle, showcasing an ability to win early with a quick release. Still, Texas did a solid job of putting him in position to get free releases with motions and stacks.

You have to appreciate what Golden offers as a blocker. He isn’t the biggest and won’t be a lead blocker of sorts but he shows high effort and can hold on just long enough to spring a run.

Golden profiles as a Z receiver at the next level with WR1 upside. The most intriguing part of Golden’s evaluation is the ceiling/floor conversation. He has proven this dating back to his immediate usage and continued growth at Houston to his breakout campaign in Austin an ability to show continued improvement no matter the level of competition. Golden is only scratching the surface of what he truly can become.