Anthony Gould Bio
Anthony Gould, born on April 6, 2001, is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing 179 pounds, Gould has earned a reputation as a compact, explosive playmaker with elite speed and quickness. He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers, where he starred as both a receiver and a returner, and he was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Originally from Leavenworth, Kansas, Gould relocated to Oregon as a teenager and built his reputation as a multi-phase threat at the high school and collegiate levels. His combination of straight-line speed, reliable hands, and punt-return instincts made him one of the most decorated special-teams weapons in the Pac-12 Conference before turning professional.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Gould was born and raised in Leavenworth, Kansas. He later moved to Oregon and attended West Salem High School in Salem, Oregon, where he quickly developed into one of the state’s most exciting two-way athletes. At West Salem, Gould was used as both a receiver and a runner, giving his coaching staff a versatile weapon who could change a game in multiple phases.
During his high school career, Gould caught 58 passes for 1,191 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also contributed on the ground, rushing for 744 yards and seven additional scores, demonstrating his toughness and ability to break tackles in space. Following his prep career, Gould committed to play college football at Oregon State University, where he would go on to develop into one of the conference’s premier return specialists.
Path to American Football
Gould joined the Oregon State Beavers program with a reputation as a dynamic all-purpose player, but his early college career required patience and persistence. In his first two seasons, he appeared in only eight games and returned one punt for 14 yards, taking a redshirt as a freshman after playing in four contests.
The 2021 season marked his emergence. In a Week 2 win over Hawaii, Gould hauled in seven receptions for 119 yards and scored his first career touchdown. A few weeks later, against Utah, he recorded his first rushing touchdown on a 14-yard sweep in a 42–34 victory. He closed the year with 13 receptions for 185 yards and one touchdown, signaling his readiness for a larger role.
Gould’s true breakout came in 2022, when he became one of the most dangerous returners in college football. He opened the season with a 74-yard reception against Boise State, followed by a clutch 42-yard grab against Fresno State that set up the game-winning score. Against Montana State, he caught five passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns and added an 80-yard punt return touchdown. By season’s end, he had recorded 27 receptions for 457 yards and three touchdowns, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors and first-team All-American recognition as a punt returner.
Anthony Gould Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Gould’s first two college seasons were a study in steady development under the Oregon State coaching staff. After a quiet redshirt freshman year, he earned more opportunities as a sophomore and seized them with consistent production as both a receiver and a returner. His 2022 campaign established him as a difference-maker, with multiple explosive plays through the air and on special teams.
Across 2021 and 2022, Gould compiled 40 receptions for 642 yards and four touchdowns, along with multiple punt-return scores. His All-Pac-12 selection in 2022 confirmed his standing among the conference’s elite playmakers and laid the groundwork for his transition to the NFL.
Oregon State Breakthrough (2023)
In 2023, Gould expanded his role as a perimeter receiver while continuing to serve as Oregon State’s primary return specialist. He lined up outside on 93 percent of his scrimmage snaps and was regarded as one of the Pac-12’s best deep threats.
He finished the year with 44 receptions for 718 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per catch, and scored two touchdowns. He also returned seven punts for 113 yards, reinforcing his value as a multi-phase contributor. At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Gould posted an overall score of 75, ranking 19th among wide receivers. His 4.39-second 40-yard dash tied for the 19th fastest time among all Combine participants, and his 91 athleticism score ranked fourth among wideouts.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2024–Present)
Gould was selected by the Indianapolis Colts with the 142nd overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. He immediately carved out a role as a return specialist, opening his professional career with a strong debut against the Houston Texans in Week 1, when he recorded four punt returns for a season-high 109 yards.
Throughout the 2024 season, Gould continued to handle punt and kick return duties while contributing on offense in spot situations. His compact frame and field vision made him an effective cog in the Colts’ special-teams scheme, and his production helped stabilize one of the league’s more dynamic return units.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although a football player rather than a driver, Gould’s on-field style mirrors the precision of a skilled racer. He thrives in space, using sharp cuts and top-end acceleration to separate from defenders. His lower-center-of-gravity build makes him difficult to tackle in the open field, while his elite 40-yard dash speed allows him to outpace coverage units on vertical routes and punt returns.
Notable Events and Milestones
Gould’s signature moment came during his 2022 season at Oregon State, when he delivered multiple game-changing plays, including an 80-yard punt return touchdown against Montana State and a clutch 42-yard reception against Fresno State that set up a walk-off win. His first-team All-American selection as a punt returner that same year cemented his status as one of college football’s premier special-teams threats.
Anthony Gould Career Wins
Across his high school, college, and professional career, Anthony Gould has built a résumé defined by explosive scoring plays rather than traditional win totals. His statistical impact through receptions, rushing, and return yardage has translated into team victories at every level, from West Salem High School to the Indianapolis Colts.
Oregon State Highlights
During his time at Oregon State, Gould helped the Beavers to multiple Pac-12 victories, including a dramatic season-opening win over Boise State and a last-play victory against Fresno State. His 2022 production, 27 receptions for 457 yards and three touchdowns, combined with his punt-return scoring, established him as a central figure in Oregon State’s offensive and special-teams success.
His 2023 campaign further elevated his profile, with 44 receptions for 718 yards and two touchdowns. By the end of his college career, Gould ranked among the most productive receivers and returners in program history.
Other Wins and Performances
At West Salem High School, Gould was a dominant two-way contributor, racking up 1,191 receiving yards, 744 rushing yards, and 19 combined touchdowns. His high school production earned him a scholarship to Oregon State and laid the foundation for his professional trajectory.
Anthony Gould Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Anthony Gould was raised in Leavenworth, Kansas, before his family relocated to Oregon during his teenage years. Public information about his parents or extended family members is limited, and Gould has generally kept his personal background out of the spotlight, focusing instead on his football career.
Personal Life
Gould maintains a private personal life and is not publicly known to be married. He can be followed on social media under his handle, where he occasionally shares updates about his training and NFL journey. As a young professional athlete in his early twenties, he remains focused on establishing himself within the Indianapolis Colts organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Anthony Gould’s second year in the NFL and his continued growth as a key special-teams contributor for the Indianapolis Colts. Entering the season, the Colts’ coaching staff relied on his speed and vision as a returner, and Gould delivered early, posting consecutive weeks of over 100 return yards.
In Week 3, he recorded three kick returns for 104 yards, and in Week 4, he added four kick returns for 91 yards and two punt returns for 31 yards, totaling a career-high 122 combined return yards in a single game. Those performances reinforced his value as one of the league’s emerging return specialists.
Looking ahead, Gould’s outlook for the remainder of 2025 remains promising. With continued trust from the coaching staff and a clear role on special teams, he is positioned to expand his offensive snap count while remaining a steady force in the return game. His combination of explosiveness and reliability gives the Colts a versatile weapon whose best football may still be ahead.