Texas WR Matthew Golden on His Relationship with Jaydon Blue: ‘My First Day’

AUSTIN — Texas Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian said during the offseason that this year’s team is as close-knit as they come.

Matthew Golden and Jaydon Blue might have something to do with it given their Houston roots.

Golden moved to Texas with the Houston Cougars in the offseason, which allowed him to reunite with Blue, his friend and high school teammate at Klein Cain. The high school is located in the northwest part of the Houston metropolitan area, between Cypress and Klein.

The two teams played each other last season, with the Texas team defeating Houston in a thrilling 31-24 victory, but they have joined forces this time, hoping to return the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.

Following the team’s 52-0 season-opening win over Colorado State on Saturday, Golden spoke to the media for the first time as a Longhorn and opened up about his relationship with Blue.

“This is my first day,” Golden said of Blue. “We went to high school together. I’ve known Blue my whole life.”

Golden, who finished his Texas debut with three receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns, praised Blue for his versatility, saying there’s “nothing Blue can’t do.”

He’s a different running back. He can play in the defensive end, he can play receiver. Just having that back — he’s reliable. There’s nothing Blue can’t do. So just having him makes everything easier for the offense.

Blue is the team’s undisputed starter at running back this year after Cedric Baxter suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. He impressed against Colorado State before finishing with 11 carries for 57 yards and three catches for 37 yards.

The Longhorns will need both players to be at their best on Saturday as No. 3 Texas prepares for a highly anticipated showdown with No. 10 Michigan in Ann Arbor, scheduled to tip off at 11 a.m. CT.