Houston, Texas is known for producing really good high school football players. WR Matthew Golden is one of those players. A 4-star recruit (according to 247sports.com), Golden garnered a total of 26 scholarship offers, but he chose the Houston Cougars over such schools as TCU, Arkansas, Baylor, Cincinnati, LSU, Pitt, Southern Miss, SMU, Texas, UTSA, and Wisconsin.
Freshman WR Matthew Golden-A Much Needed Vertical Threat on the Perimeter
Golden averaged 118 receiving yards and a touchdown per game in his senior year at Klein Cain High School. 247sports.com Recruiting Analyst Gabe Brooks had this to say about Golden:
In the 6-foot neighborhood with an athletic build that is field-ready for college, but also able to fit more mass as needed. Highly productive over three-year varsity career at the Texas Class 6A level facing strong competition in Houston metro.
Simultaneously smooth and sudden in his movement patterns. Accelerates and decelerates with limited wasted motion. Translates similar functional athleticism to cutback opportunities in run-after-catch situations.
Field-stretching vertical threat. Gets on top of corners quickly and flashes run-by linear speed. Displays an impressive initial burst, but also often finds another gear at the top end. Verified athleticism reflects what is shown on tape.
His excellent athletic profile includes a 10.93 100-meter time and a long jump approaching 22 feet. Terrific when the ball is in the air. Shows tracking concentration and adjustment skills that combine with body control and high-pointing acumen to win contested throws.
Dangerous red-zone target as a go-get-it option or a back-shoulder weapon. Has not been challenged often by big press corners and may need time to calibrate those defenders in college.
Bona fide high-major talent with the tools to become a multi-year impact player in college. Possesses an overall profile with accompanying on-field context that suggests NFL Draft potential.
At 6-0, 190 pounds, Golden caught 74 balls for 1416 yards and 12 touchdowns last season for Klein Cain. He averaged 19 yards per catch.
He posted six games of over 100+yards receiving, including two games of over 200 yards:
- 8 catches for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns vs Katy Taylor
- 7 catches for 265 yards and 3 touchdowns vs Spring
Golden recorded over 130 yards receiving in five consecutive games and caught 2 or more touchdown passes in a game four times.
He is a dual threat as he is also a skillful kick returner and was named the District 15-6A Special Teams Player of the Year in 2020.
In 2021, he was named Honorable Mention 6A All-State. His high school career totals: 3242 receiving yards, and 32 receiving touchdowns.
And, he was a January early enrollee and participated in Spring practice. Golden’s athleticism, pass-catching skills, and hard work earned the respect and praise of his coaches and teammates.
He looks to be the vertical threat that is much needed in an offense that ranked 99th in the FBS in pass attempts of 20-yards or more.
As a result, Golden will line up at receiver opposite WR Nathaniel Dell in week 1 when the Cougars travel to San Antonio to take on UTSA.
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