A former multi-year starter at Pitt joined a trio of early-round draft prospects as official visitors hosted by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.
Highly regarded wide receiver Matthew Golden, projected Day 2 picks Azareye’h Thomas and Kaleb Johnson and Pitt tight end Gavin Bartholomew were guests at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on a day that marked the three weeks until the NFL Draft.
After leading College Football Playoff qualifier Texas in receiving yards last season, Golden solidified himself as a first-round pick by posting the fastest time in the 40-yard dash among the wide receivers at the combine (4.29 seconds). Golden (5-foot-11, 191 pounds) had 24 total touchdowns in 36 college games across three seasons with Houston (2022-23) and Texas.
Remove two-way star Travis Hunter from the equation… here’s WR1 in the ‘25 draft class. Matthew Golden, Texas.
— Todd McShay (@McShay13) March 24, 2025
Golden is the only guy in the class that moves like this!! Plus, great adjust skills when ball is in air and not enough credit for route savvy. pic.twitter.com/BcxW6uqi6k
The 6-foot-1 ½, 197-pound Thomas emerged as an honorable mention all-ACC cornerback in 2024, his third season playing at Florida State. A consensus second-round pick per the mock-draft compilation site nflmockdraftdatabase.com, Thomas has the size the Steelers crave in their outside cornerbacks.
CB Azareye'h Thomas, FSU
— The Film Room (@Cover1FilmRoom) April 3, 2025
6’1 ½, 197 pound, 32 ⅜ arm length - Young at 20.7 years old - Confident, fluid mover - Body to absorb contact - Excellent Press Jam paired with reactive feet - Disruptive at the line with long arms and strength - Hands and feet work in unison -… pic.twitter.com/Nzht19esre
Regarded in the midst of what is considered a strong crop of running backs, Johnson (6-1, 224) was named Big Ten Running Back of the Year in 2024 after rushing for an Iowa record 21 touchdowns. A second-team AP All-American, Johnson ranked seventh in the country in rushing yards with 1,537.
Johnson could be a viewed as a replacement for Najee Harris in that his profile is more of a first- and second-down back who, ideally, could complement Jaylen Warren and the newly signed Kenneth Gainwell.
Kaleb Johnson
— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) March 22, 2025
When we are looking for examples of why he is special.
This is one of the better plays I’ve seen from him. pic.twitter.com/px3mbY3Xks
Bartholomew, at best, will be a late-round pick after starting for four seasons at Pitt. Three times, he was an honorable mention all-ACC selection, totaling 104 receptions for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns. At 6-5, 246 pounds, Bartholomew has the size to make an NFL roster.
NFL teams are allowed 30 official visits from prospects in the lead-up to the draft. Local prospects, such as Bartholomew, are exempt from that limit. The draft begins April 24 in Green Bay.
