University of Houston Athletics
Five Cougars Earn Athlon Preseason Recognition
5/23/2023 3:04:00 PM | Football
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Sophomore wide receiver Matthew Golden honored on publication’s first team
HOUSTON – With just over 100 days until University of Houston Football kicks off its inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference, five of its student-athletes were recognized on Athlon Sports' 2023 All-Big 12 Team led by sophomore wide receiver Matthew Golden who earned first team honors.
As a freshman, Golden played 11 games and made eight starts (538 snaps) logging 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. The Houston native set a true freshman school record in receiving TDs (7) which ranked second nationally among true freshmen.
Houston's Athlon preseason honorees include:
First-Team Offense
WR Matthew Golden
Second-Team Offense
OL Patrick Paul
Third-Team Defense
DL Nelson Ceaser
DB Adari Haulcy
Fourth-Team Offense
C Jack Freeman
Houston's two offensive line/center honorees rank second among Big 12 programs in Texas, matching TCU and trailing only Texas (3).
The list is constructed with an emphasis on performance expectation for the upcoming season. Career statistics and awards are considered in the evaluation but selecting players for the 2023 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.
Paul heads into his junior season ranked as Dave Campbell's Texas Football "Texas 10" – No. 2 Best Offensive Lineman in the state. The 2022 First-Team All-American Athletic Conference started all 13 games at left tackle a season ago and ranked as the nation's No. 2-graded pass blocker among tackles by Pro Football Focus (91.1).
Ceaser enters 2023 as Dave Campbell's Texas Football "Texas 10" – No. 6 Best Edge Rusher in the state. A season ago, the Missouri City, Texas, native played in all 13 games (729 snaps) including 11 starts at defensive end. A season ago, he totaled 10.0 tackles for loss – ranking second on the ream – and contributed at least one tackle for loss in nine games.
Haulcy, who joined the Cougars this spring from New Mexico, is recognized among Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 10 Transfer Portal Pick-Ups. He played in all 12 games at New Mexico in 2022, finishing third on the team with 87 tackles including a 24-tackle performance against Fresno State (Oct. 22), marking the most tackles for an FBS player in four seasons.
Freeman allowed just two sacks in 579 opportunities last fall with his 71.6 run block grade ranking third among American Athletic Conference centers per PFF. The Midlothian, Texas, native supported a Cougar squad that ranked 25th nationally in total offense (455.8) in 2022.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are on sale for Houston's inaugural Big 12 Conference season. Seven-game packages begin as low as $175 to see the Cougars host UTSA (Sept. 2), TCU (Sept. 16), Sam Houston (Sept. 23), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's seven on-campus home games are its most since 2015.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
As a freshman, Golden played 11 games and made eight starts (538 snaps) logging 38 receptions for 584 yards and seven touchdowns. The Houston native set a true freshman school record in receiving TDs (7) which ranked second nationally among true freshmen.
Houston's Athlon preseason honorees include:
First-Team Offense
WR Matthew Golden
Second-Team Offense
OL Patrick Paul
Third-Team Defense
DL Nelson Ceaser
DB Adari Haulcy
Fourth-Team Offense
C Jack Freeman
Houston's two offensive line/center honorees rank second among Big 12 programs in Texas, matching TCU and trailing only Texas (3).
The list is constructed with an emphasis on performance expectation for the upcoming season. Career statistics and awards are considered in the evaluation but selecting players for the 2023 all-conference team is largely based on predicting and projecting the best for the upcoming year.
Paul heads into his junior season ranked as Dave Campbell's Texas Football "Texas 10" – No. 2 Best Offensive Lineman in the state. The 2022 First-Team All-American Athletic Conference started all 13 games at left tackle a season ago and ranked as the nation's No. 2-graded pass blocker among tackles by Pro Football Focus (91.1).
Ceaser enters 2023 as Dave Campbell's Texas Football "Texas 10" – No. 6 Best Edge Rusher in the state. A season ago, the Missouri City, Texas, native played in all 13 games (729 snaps) including 11 starts at defensive end. A season ago, he totaled 10.0 tackles for loss – ranking second on the ream – and contributed at least one tackle for loss in nine games.
Haulcy, who joined the Cougars this spring from New Mexico, is recognized among Dave Campbell's Texas Football Top 10 Transfer Portal Pick-Ups. He played in all 12 games at New Mexico in 2022, finishing third on the team with 87 tackles including a 24-tackle performance against Fresno State (Oct. 22), marking the most tackles for an FBS player in four seasons.
Freeman allowed just two sacks in 579 opportunities last fall with his 71.6 run block grade ranking third among American Athletic Conference centers per PFF. The Midlothian, Texas, native supported a Cougar squad that ranked 25th nationally in total offense (455.8) in 2022.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets are on sale for Houston's inaugural Big 12 Conference season. Seven-game packages begin as low as $175 to see the Cougars host UTSA (Sept. 2), TCU (Sept. 16), Sam Houston (Sept. 23), West Virginia (Oct. 12), Texas (Oct. 21), Cincinnati (Nov. 11) and Oklahoma State (Nov. 18) at TDECU Stadium. Houston's seven on-campus home games are its most since 2015.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023.
Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN The 46ers and The HUDDLE
Fans are invited to join the 46ers and the Huddle to directly support Houston Football. Members provide financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond operating budget. For more information about the 46ers and the Huddle, call Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4684) or click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Follow Houston Football on Twitter and Instagram at @UHCougarFB, and "Like" Houston Cougar Football on Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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