Steve Sarkisian Reveals Why Texas Longhorns Transfer WR Matthew Golden is 'Perfect Fit'
AUSTIN, Texas -- Even as they prepare for the College Football Playoff already equipped with a talented group of pass catchers, it was no secret leading up to Early Signing Day on Wednesday that the Texas Longhorns were going to need to retool the receiving corps for next season due to some expected roster turnover.
Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian did that with freshmen signatures from receivers like five-star Ryan Wingo and three-stars Freddie Dubose and Parker Livingston. While Wingo certainly brings tons of hype to the Forty Acres, it was the portal addition of Houston transfer Matthew Golden that could prove to be the most impactful offseason move when looking back on it next season.
Sarkisian even called it a "perfect fit" when speaking to the media Wednesday.
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"Two things we were looking for in the portal at the receiver position was 1. an experienced play-maker on the outside," Sarkisian said of Golden. "He has good length, he's really put together. He made a lot of big plays over two years at Houston, clearly in our game catches two touchdowns. ... But on the flip side of that, we wanted to see if we could find some value in special teams. What he was able to do at Houston in the kickoff return game ... we're finding more than just a one-tool player.
" ... It was kind of a perfect fit."
Golden has posted 76 catches for 988 yards and 13 touchdowns in his two-year collegiate career. The Houston native has also returned 14 kickoffs for 437 yards and two more scores.
The Longhorns have shown that a standout offensive player can also impact the game on special teams in a unit under coach Jeff Banks that has accounted for three total touchdowns while Xavier Worthy leads the nation in punt return yards (358).
Golden could make his impact be felt in both areas next season for a Texas receiving room that will likely look much different from the one that's headed to the College Football Playoff against Washington on New Year's Day.
