Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden’s glowing endorsement after game-changing CFB play, ‘there’s a level of…’

Green Bay Packers rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden made a name for himself late in the 2024 college football season. He was called into action in a primary role, and delivered in spectacular fashion. Green Bay has high hopes for the first rounder, and his college coach believes he’s the real deal.

Matthew Golden was the first Green Bay Packers receiver drafted in the first round in 23 years, and the franchise is hoping he’ll be the missing piece that unlocks the offense. It’s a young group as it is, but Golden could be the key to them reaching the next level. Here’s a look back at how the rookie receiver ended up being scouted as a first round pick.

Matthew Golden’s meteoric rise to become highly touted prospect

The Green Bay Packers’ latest playmaker spent two seasons with the Houston Cougars before he transferred to Texas. He was originally a four-star prospect out of the city of Houston, who was offered by Texas before surprisingly committing to his hometown team.

Two years later, with over 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns to his name, Golden entered the transfer portal and committed to the Longhorns.

Golden caught two touchdowns in the opening game of the 2024 season against Colorado State, despite only catching three passes in the entire game. As he settled into the offense, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers was able to help unlock his potential as a vertical threat who could make big plays down the field.

The third-year receiver went from strength to strength as the season went on, but late in the season he was called upon for an even larger role. Texas receiver Isaiah Bond suffered a high ankle sprain in the SEC Championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs, meaning Golden had to step up.

He answered the call by catching eight passes for 162 receiving yards, helping to force overtime against a brilliant Georgia Bulldogs outfit. While he had a great game, the following matchup in the college football playoff was the game he’d truly make a name for himself.

Texas found themselves down against Arizona State facing a 4th and 13. If they failed to convert, the game, and their season, was over.

Ewers dropped back while Golden ran a post route, selling the outside fake to his defender before cutting upfield. He got himself open behind the defense and Ewers hit him for a stunning touchdown that leveled the game.

The play is one of the best in recent Longhorns history, but the two weren’t quite finished there.

In the second overtime period, Ewers threw to tight end Gunnar Helm for a touchdown that gave Texas the lead. Per college rules, teams have to go for a two-point conversion in the second overtime period, and unsurprisingly, it was Matthew Golden again who stepped up to convert in the back of the endzone.

The combination of those plays brought the Longhorns’ season back from the dead and fired them into the next round of the college football playoff. After the game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian commented on Golden’s ability to make a play in the big moment:

“As a quarterback, you’re always trying to find rapport and trust in a receiver and as a play-caller you are, too,” he said. “You earn trust with consistency and time and I think there’s a level of consistency in Matthew’s game that he’s earned a lot of trust in myself and earned a lot of trust in Quinn.”

Sarkisian has had nothing but good things to say about Golden. He’s sure-handed, reliable, and always capable of making a big play. The Green Bay Packers might not need him to be their WR1, but he can be the go-to guy in tough situations, and will help to unlock the rest of the offense in 2025.

He ended up with seven catches for 149 yard and a touchdown against Arizona State, while also recording the all-important two-point conversion.

Matthew Golden’s first opportunity in Green Bay

The Green Bay Packers’ rookies will report for minicamp on July 18th, before the rest of the roster arrives on the 22nd.

It’s not yet clear if Golden will feature in the preseason, and even if he does, the number of reps he gets as a first round pick could be limited. Still, those games are an opportunity for a young playmaker to get on the field and start to find his rhythm in the league.

The Packers open their preseason on August 9th against the New York Jets, in a game held at Lambeau Field.