Matthew Golden's NFL Draft Stock on Rise After Surprise at Combine

Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden is turning heads at the NFL combine. His athleticism is making an impression. It has some asking if he is the top receiver in the 2025 draft class.

Golden is fast. That much was evident by the time Golden transferred over from Houston to Austin prior to the 2024 season. The former Houston Cougars receiver built a reputation for kick return ability in his first two seasons of college football, taking back two kickoff returns for scores.

The third-year receiver's speed was punctuated on Saturday. His NFL combine performance had NFL insider Ian Rapoport sharing, "Matthew Golden has made some money today."

Golden ran a 4.29 second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine to solidify just how fast he can move. 

The production has always been there for Golden at the college level. The talented receiver has caught at least six touchdowns in every season of college football that he's played. In 2024, he caught 58 passes for 987 yards and nine touchdowns with an average of 17.0 yards per reception.

Golden stood out on the field over each of his last three seasons, but his performance wasn't fool's gold. It's duplicatable, and his performance at the combine only further strengthens that notion.

The Texas receiver will look to climb higher up draft boards leading up to the 2025 NFL draft.