First Independence Bowl alum taken in Round 1 of NFL Draft since 2021
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Wide receiver Matthew Golden became the 74th Independence Bowl alumnus and first since 2021 to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Photo: 2022 Houston Cougars Athletics
Golden appeared in the 2022 Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl for Houston and caught two passes for 17 yards. He finished his collegiate career with Texas before being drafted 23rd overall by the Green Bay Packers in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Before Golden, former Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau was the last Independence Bowl alumnus to be drafted in the first round. The Buffalo Bills selected Rousseau with the 30th overall pick in 2021.
Golden will now join the list of 88 Independence Bowl alums who played in the NFL last season.
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