4 players Texas must convince to return for 2025

Matthew Golden, WR

Another player the Longhorns nabbed from the transfer portal last offseason to bolster a key position group, junior wide receiver Matthew Golden emerged as a go-to target for quarterback Quinn Ewers in the Texas passing game in the second half of the season.

Golden's targets have steadily climbed as this season progressed. He was targeted a season-high 12 times in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia last weekend, resulting in eight catches for a career-high 162 receiving yards.

There is a possibility that the Longhorns' receiving corps loses juniors Isaiah Bond and Golden to the NFL Draft next spring. We've known for a long time that Bond plans to enter the draft next offseason. It also sounds like Golden is considering leaving Texas for the NFL Draft after putting up career-best numbers for the Longhorns on offense this season.

Texas is expected to return key underclassmen in the receiving corps for the 2025 season, including freshman Ryan Wingo and sophomore DeAndre Moore Jr. The Longhorns also brought in multiple talented blue-chip signees from high school recruiting in the 2025 class, including five-stars Jaime Ffrench and Kaliq Lockett, who could make an immediate impact at wideout next year.

Getting Golden back would be a huge luxury for the Longhorns at receiver. If he returns for the 2025 season, that could potentially alleviate the need for Texas to get a proven stud from the transfer portal at receiver during the winter portal window.

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