Matthew Golden

Matthew Golden (born August 1, 2003) is an American professional football wide receiver and punt returner 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.

Matthew Golden

Golden in 2025
No. 0 – Green Bay Packers
Positions	Wide receiver Punt returner
Roster status	Active
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	Houston (2022–2023) Texas (2024)
NFL draft	2025: 1st round, 23rd overall pick
Career history
Green Bay Packers (2025–present)
Awards and highlights
Second-team All-Big 12 (2023)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2025
Receptions 14 Receiving yards 212 Rushing yards 45 Return yards 28 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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

Houston

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

Golden with the Texas Longhorns in 2024

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

College statistics

Season	Games		Receiving				Kick returns
	GP	GS	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
Houston Cougars
2022	11	8	38	584	15.4	7	5	116	23.2	0
2023	9	9	38	404	10.6	6	9	321	35.7	2
Texas Longhorns
2024	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

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 four-year rookie contract on May 19, 2025^[18] worth $17.58 million fully guaranteed.^[19]

Golden made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions, catching 2 passes for 16 yards in the 27–13 win.^[20] In the Week 3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, Golden had his first 50+ yard game, catching 4 passes for 52 yards and rushing 9 yards.^[21]