2015 NFL Draft: Markus Golden Should Not Be Overlooked
Missouri Tigers Defensive End Markus Golden had a respectable career, and put together a solid 2014 season that puts him in good shape to be drafted in the 2015 NFL Draft. Golden is overshadowed by his teammate Shane Ray, who is projected to be a top ten draft pick, but is Ray that much better than Golden?
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2011
Golden began his college career with Hutchinson Community College in Hutchinson, Kansas. In his freshman season at Hutchinson he managed 90 Tackles, ten Sacks, five Forced Fumbles, and two Interceptions.
Following his freshman season he transferred to the University of Missouri to play football for the Tigers.
2012
In Golden’s first year with Missouri he managed to make a small impact, though most of his production came on special teams blocking for return man Marcus Murphy. Golden finished the season with six Tackles, four Assists, and one Forced Fumble.
2013
In 2013 Golden was really able to showcase his skills on a team that featured 2014 NFL Draft picks Kony Ealy and Michael Sam, and also 2015 NFL Draft projected top ten pick Shane Ray. Golden never looked outclassed compared to any of his teammates, and at times looked like he may be the best of the group.
He finished 2013 with a team Defensive End high in tackles with 55. He also added 6.5 Sacks, one Interception, and one Forced Fumble. His lone interception may have been his best play of the year, as he took it back 70 yards for a Touchdown against Toledo.
Golden finished sixth in the South Eastern Conference in Tackles for Loss with 13, seventh in sacks with six, second for interceptions returned for a touchdown with one, and seventh for interception return yardage with 70.
He managed all of that while only playing nearly 40% of the defensive snaps. The stage was set for his 2014 season.
2014
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Golden was poised for a stellar 2014 season that could set him up to be a top prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft, but he slightly underwhelmed, and was overshadowed by teammate Shane Ray.
The St. Louis, Missouri native was still able to tally 30 Tackles, 38 Assists, nine Sacks, and one Forced Fumble.
When compared to Shane Ray’s 2014 season of 45 Tackles, 16 Assists, and 14 Sacks, Golden doesn’t look that far behind Ray statistically.
"Shows the flexibility, athleticism and hand technique to beat blockers in space, using his quick eyes to read and adjust on the move. Plays with energy and a relentless style that makes it tough to slow his momentum, finishing with violence at the ball.-Courtesy of Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports"
Markus Golden may not have as high of an upside as Shane Ray, but he is more polished all around and ready to step in and contribute day one.
Golden is projected as the 116th overall prospect, 10th Outside Linebacker, and a 3rd-4th round pick. For a team that is in need of a pass rusher to come in and compete immediately, getting Golden in the late third or early fourth round would be a great value.
It will be fun watching the careers of all the great pass rushing prospects from Missouri as they move on to the NFL. Missouri doesn’t look ready to stop producing professional caliber Defensive Linemen either as they just landed the number #2 overall High School prospect in Terry Beckner Jr.