Matthew Golden combine results: Texas football WR scouting report, NFL draft projections

Matthew Golden: 2025 NFL Scouting Combine Results, Texas Football WR Scouting Report, and Draft Projections

Matthew Golden, a standout wide receiver for the University of Texas, entered the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine as one of the most anticipated prospects at his position. Known for his explosive playmaking ability, crisp route-running, and impressive athleticism, Golden had established himself as a key contributor for the Texas Longhorns’ offense. After a stellar college career, the Combine presented Golden with his chance to prove his worth to NFL scouts, coaches, and general managers—showcasing his physicality, speed, and skill set. This article will break down Golden’s combine results, provide a scouting report on his talents as a wide receiver, and offer insight into his NFL draft projections.

Matthew Golden’s 2025 NFL Combine Results

The NFL Scouting Combine is one of the most important events for draft prospects. It provides a controlled environment where athletes are put through a series of physical tests and drills to gauge their athleticism and readiness for the professional level. For wide receivers, the Combine results are critical, as speed, agility, and hands are some of the key attributes that can elevate a player’s draft stock.

Golden, who stood out during his time at Texas, entered the Combine with high expectations. His performance in Indianapolis was eagerly anticipated, as NFL teams had already taken notice of his potential as one of the top wide receivers in the 2025 draft class. Let’s take a look at how Golden performed during the critical tests at the Combine.

40-Yard Dash

The 40-yard dash is often considered the marquee event of the NFL Scouting Combine, and for wide receivers, it can be a game-changer. Speed is crucial for a receiver’s ability to stretch the field, gain separation, and make explosive plays. Golden’s time in the 40-yard dash was an impressive 4.39 seconds, one of the fastest among wide receivers at the 2025 Combine. This time placed him in the upper echelon of wide receiver prospects, showcasing his elite speed. His burst out of the blocks and ability to maintain his speed throughout the race demonstrated that he possesses the straight-line speed to challenge defenders downfield at the next level.

Bench Press

The bench press test is used to measure upper-body strength, particularly the chest, shoulders, and triceps. While not as important for wide receivers as it is for positions like offensive linemen or linebackers, it still offers insight into a player’s physicality and commitment to strength training. Golden completed 15 reps of 225 pounds, which is above average for a wide receiver. This result showed that, while strength may not be his most impressive physical trait, Golden has the foundation of power necessary to block effectively and fight for contested catches in the NFL.

Vertical Jump

A wide receiver’s ability to leap and contest high throws is critical for making highlight-reel catches and excelling in jump-ball situations. Golden’s vertical jump at the Combine measured 38.5 inches. This is a solid result, placing him in the upper range of wide receiver prospects. The ability to jump and track the ball in the air is an essential trait for Golden, especially given his ability to win contested catches and his high-pointing ability when tracking passes.

3-Cone Drill

The 3-cone drill is a key test for agility and change-of-direction ability, crucial for wide receivers who need to make sharp cuts and separate from defenders. Golden posted a time of 6.75 seconds in the 3-cone drill, showcasing excellent footwork and lateral quickness. This time placed him among the top performers for wide receivers, demonstrating that Golden has the agility to make quick, explosive cuts and separate at the top of his routes. His fluidity in and out of breaks further highlighted his polished route-running abilities.

Broad Jump

Golden’s broad jump of 10 feet 7 inches is another indicator of his explosive athleticism. This test assesses a player’s lower-body strength, power, and explosiveness, which are critical for jump balls, quick separation, and breaking tackles. His broad jump ranking in the upper percentile for wide receivers illustrated his ability to accelerate quickly and cover ground with his explosive power. This translates well to his on-field performance, where he routinely breaks free from defenders with sharp cuts and powerful strides.

20-Yard Shuttle

The 20-yard shuttle is another agility drill that measures a player’s ability to change direction at high speed. Golden’s time of 4.29 seconds in this drill was among the top performances for wide receivers at the 2025 Combine. This drill is critical for evaluating a receiver’s ability to navigate the short area quickly—an important trait for a wide receiver’s ability to separate on short routes like slants, hitches, and out patterns. Golden’s performance here shows that he can quickly shift directions without losing speed, which will help him gain separation in the NFL.

Overall Physical Profile

Golden’s overall athletic profile at the Combine confirmed the high expectations placed on him as one of the premier wide receiver prospects in the 2025 class. His combination of speed (4.39 40-yard dash), agility (6.75 3-cone), strength (15 bench reps), and explosiveness (38.5-inch vertical jump) provides a tantalizing package of traits for NFL scouts. His Combine performance highlighted his dynamic skill set and ability to contribute as a versatile playmaker at the next level.

Scouting Report: Matthew Golden, Wide Receiver, Texas

While Golden’s athleticism and Combine results paint a picture of a highly capable athlete, a thorough scouting report of his on-field performance provides a deeper understanding of his strengths, weaknesses, and how he projects to the NFL. Below is a breakdown of his game, including key attributes such as route running, hands, and field awareness.

Route Running

Golden is one of the more polished route runners in the 2025 draft class. His ability to run clean, crisp routes is a key asset that allows him to create separation from defenders. Whether he’s running deep routes or working the short-to-intermediate area of the field, Golden excels at selling his fakes and executing his breaks with precision. His fluidity in and out of cuts, combined with his speed, allows him to generate separation and create space for quarterback throws.

Golden has demonstrated the ability to run a wide variety of routes with effectiveness. From post and corner routes to quick slants and hitches, he has a versatile route tree that enables him to contribute all over the field. This is an essential trait for NFL wide receivers, who are often required to run complex route combinations. Golden’s quickness and sharpness at the top of his routes make him a threat to defenders at every level of the field.

Hands and Catching Ability

Golden is known for his strong hands and ability to catch passes in a variety of situations. He has reliable hands, capable of securing the ball in contested situations and making catches in traffic. His ability to adjust to errant throws and secure the ball in tough conditions is a critical trait for a wide receiver. Golden also excels at tracking deep balls and making spectacular catches on passes thrown his way.

While Golden doesn’t have the same reputation for acrobatic catches as some other receivers, his hands are among the most reliable in the class. He rarely drops passes and is a dependable target in both short and long-range passing situations. This consistency makes him a valuable option for quarterbacks at every level of the field.

Physicality and Blocking

While Golden is more known for his receiving ability, he also brings value as a blocker in the run game. His physicality and willingness to block downfield allow him to contribute to the Texas offense in multiple ways. His ability to seal off defenders and block for the running backs is an asset in the NFL, where wide receivers are often required to be well-rounded players.

That said, his blocking could improve with more refinement, especially against stronger cornerbacks and safeties at the next level. Nonetheless, his size and strength make him capable of contributing as a blocking wideout when necessary.

Explosiveness and Playmaking Ability

Golden’s explosiveness is one of his defining features. Whether it’s his burst off the line of scrimmage or his ability to track down deep passes, Golden can make big plays in a variety of ways. His top-end speed, coupled with his agility, allows him to gain separation quickly and make plays after the catch. His ability to turn short gains into long ones is one of his most exciting attributes.

Golden also displays great field awareness, making him a threat in high-pressure situations. He has the ability to read defenses, understand leverage, and make adjustments to his routes on the fly. This IQ, combined with his athleticism, makes him a dangerous weapon for any offense.

NFL Draft Projections: Where Will Matthew Golden Land?

After a strong 2025 NFL Combine performance, Matthew Golden has solidified himself as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the upcoming draft. His combination of athleticism, route-running ability, and hands gives him the potential to be a first- or second-round selection, depending on team needs.

Several NFL teams will likely have Golden on their radar as a potential immediate contributor to their passing game. Teams that prioritize speed, playmaking ability, and versatility will view him as an ideal fit. His ability to work both the deep and intermediate levels of the field makes him a valuable weapon for teams looking to add a dynamic playmaker to their roster.

Projected as a late-first to early-second round pick, Golden’s draft stock has risen significantly due to his performance at the Combine and his college tape. He will likely land in a situation where he can compete for a starting role early in his career and be a key contributor in the passing game.