The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Matthew Golden taken in the first round of NFL Draft by Green Bay Packers
04.24.2025 | Football
The wide receiver went 23rd overall in the first round of the NFL Draft Thursday night.
GREEN BAY, Wisc. – Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 23rd overall pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft Thursday night.
Golden is the 50th first-round NFL Draft pick in Texas history. Texas has now had a wide receiver selected in the first round of back-to-back drafts with Golden joining Xavier Worthy from last year. That makes the first time in program history that the Longhorns have had a wide receiver selected in the first round of consecutive drafts.
Golden is Texas' third first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, matching the most in school history along with 1980.
The Houston native is the first Longhorn drafted by the Packers since TE Jermichael Finley was taken in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Golden is additionally the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by Green Bay since 2002 (Javon Walker).
"He showed everyone his speed and explosiveness at the combine, but what a great player Matthew Golden is," Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said. "What I really loved about him was the way he worked, his commitment to his craft and how he got better as the year went on. He came to us from more of an air raid system at Houston, so the transition wasn't as easy, but the end result was that he was our most productive and reliable receiver."
"He's a fantastic player. Matt showed everyone how fast he was with that 40 time, but his short area quickness, how he gets in and out of breaks makes him truly elite. He has extremely strong hands, makes contested catches, can do it at all three levels – whether it's the short game, the intermediate, the deep balls – and he's at his best in the most critical moments. You top that off with the blue-collar attitude he has, the fact that he's a great teammate who you can really count on day in and day out, that's what really separates him. He works, he's no nonsense, he's tough and does the dirty work blocking linebackers, safeties and event defensive ends. All in all, I think this guy is getting all that he deserves, and Green Bay is going to love him."
"The only question was his speed, and then he goes out and runs that time at the combine.." - Steve Sarkisian thinks that Matthew Golden has no unanswered questions heading into the Draft after running an incredible 40 at the combine pic.twitter.com/qreLjQIXfH
— Colt McCoy (@ColtMcCoy) April 8, 2025
In his lone season with Texas, Golden powered the Horns' receiving corps while doubling as the team's kick returner. He started all 16 games this past season and led the team in receiving yards (987) and receiving touchdowns (9) while ranking second on the squad in receptions (58). Golden averaged a team-high 17.03 yards per catch and recorded two 100-yard receiving games. In the SEC Championship vs. Georgia on Dec. 7, he gathered eight receptions for a career-high 162 yards. He also corralled seven receptions for 149 yards and a score in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Arizona State on Jan. 1. As the team's primary kick returner, Golden amassed 285 return yards on 14 attempts (20.4 ypr).
QUOTES FROM MATTHEW GOLDEN
On if he knew the Packers hadn't taken a receiver in the first round since 2002 and his visit with Green Bay prior to the draft:
I definitely knew they hadn't taken a receiver from that long ago. And no, I had a good relationship with them when I came up here for my visit. I got around the coaching staff, and I saw how the culture was here, you know, and I enjoyed it.
On the significance of the Packers not drafting a receiver in the first round since 2022:
Yeah, it definitely means a lot more. It's always been a dream of mine to go in the first round and to know that they hadn't picked the receiver since 2002, it's truly a blessing.
On the feeling of walking out on the draft stage:
It was so cool, the energy of the Packer fans, I could just feel it. And you know, I'm so excited to be here. I'm glad the organization picked me.
On being able to buy his grandmother's house back:
That's the house I grew up in when I was younger. And like I said, it got taken away from us a couple of years ago. Just knowing that I'm in a position to be able to get that back, you know, for all my family, my little cousins that grew up there, just for everybody to go back home, you know, just feel that energy now. That's something my grandma always wanted. And before my greatgrandma died, she always wanted one of her grandsons to make it to the NFL. I'm the last one standing and I made it, so I know she's proud of me.
On if he is the kind of guy who's going to walk across the street to get a workout in tonight:
Oh yeah, definitely. On all my visits, I was always working out, but that's something they can expect out of me – is being a hard worker. I'm committed to the process, but I'm a dog, and I'm a competitor each day. I'm trying to get better, one percent better each day and just perfect my craft.
On his visit with the Packers and the irony of shaking hands with the general manager yesterday:
I knew once I shook his hand something just told me, they're fixing to come get me. When I came my visit up here and got around the coaching staff, it was remarkable, definitely a great organization. I'm so happy to be here and just get ready to go to work.
On if he thought the Packers were going to take him when they were on the clock:
It all goes back to wanting to be drafted in the first round. You know, I knew it was an opportunity with each team. When the Packers came, I had a feeling that they were going to come get me. Once I got the call, I answered, and they told me they were picking me.
On having his biggest games in the College Football Playoff:
It just goes back to when those lights turn on, playing on the biggest stages. I always told myself I wanted to do that. So going to Texas, I knew I was going to have an opportunity to play against great opponents and play at the highest level. So just knowing whenever those lights turn on, it's time to go, and that's the mindset I've got.
On Coach Sarkisian saying that he has the ability to play every receiver spot and if that will help him pick up the offense:
I definitely do, and like I said, going to Texas, I definitely benefited a lot, and they did a great job moving me around to where I felt comfortable. And that's definitely something I can do. I feel like that's what makes me different from a lot of receivers, is I can line up anywhere on the field. So that just goes back to whatever the team needs me to do in that offense, I can do it.
On how much he thinks going to Texas helped prepare him:
Yeah, it changed my life. I can't thank Coach Sark enough, him and the coaching staff for trusting me and allowing me to go to the University of Texas. For me, I just took advantage of each opportunity that I had, and it got me to this point.
On what competing against SEC corners showed him about himself:
I would just say, the SEC is NFL corners, and they're good at disguises defenses. It's all around. Just playing in the SEC is different. The energy, the athleticism, everything all around. So being able to compete each and every week in the SEC, it definitely made me better.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Anyone else watching his highlights on repeat?@amfam pic.twitter.com/OMYQOwwHHO
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 25, 2025
.@minakimes loves the Packers drafting WR Matthew Golden 🤩@danorlovsky7 believes the addition of Golden makes the Packers the "deepest WR group in the NFL." pic.twitter.com/pHP5ylP04x
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 25, 2025
Home sweet home!@amfam pic.twitter.com/JrNEQdOwNH
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 25, 2025
The moment the pick was made 🤘 @MatthewGolden_
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2025
📺 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/t7nV3nf1u8
Matthew Golden is a Green Bay Packer 🤘 @MatthewGolden_ pic.twitter.com/2UJ9ilbNqg
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2025
Welcome home, Golden Boy!@amfam pic.twitter.com/NrnoDWvCPV
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 25, 2025
Yes he is@amfam pic.twitter.com/2uiYc2j7wp
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) April 25, 2025
Drafted by the Packers in Green Bay @MatthewGolden_
— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/7qFBQ4gIne
Matthew Golden greeted Packers fans at Lambeau Field for the first time after getting drafted No. 23 overall 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/JQuT4pr5Fm
— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2025
Green Bay bound 🤘 @MatthewGolden_
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 25, 2025
📺 #NFLDraft – April 24-26 on NFL Network/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/12OJsvAgNC
