Anthony Gould Bio
Anthony Gould (born April 6, 2001) is an American professional football wide receiver and return specialist for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers and was selected by the Colts in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft. Listed at 5 feet 8 inches and 174 pounds, Gould has carved out a role in the NFL as a speedy game-breaker in the return game while continuing to develop as a receiver.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Gould was born and raised in Leavenworth, Kansas. He later moved to Oregon, where he attended West Salem High School in Salem. At West Salem, Gould emerged as a multi-dimensional offensive threat, posting strong numbers as both a pass catcher and a runner during his high school career.
During his time at West Salem, Gould caught 58 passes for 1,191 yards and 12 touchdowns, and he added 744 rushing yards with seven touchdowns on the ground. Those numbers helped establish him as one of the more exciting skill-position players in the region. Following his prep career, Gould committed to play college football at Oregon State University, choosing the Beavers to continue his development.
Path to American Football
Gould’s path to the NFL began in earnest at Oregon State, where he joined a program looking for playmakers in the passing and return games. In his first two seasons with the Beavers, his role was limited, as he appeared in eight games and returned one punt for 14 yards while taking a redshirt as a freshman. The experience allowed him to learn the system and adjust to the speed of the college game.
His breakthrough arrived in 2021, when he became a more regular contributor. In a Week 2 win over Hawaii, Gould hauled in seven receptions for 119 yards and scored his first career touchdown. He later added his first rushing touchdown on a 14-yard sweep in a 42-34 win over Utah, finishing the 2021 season with 13 receptions for 185 yards and a touchdown. Those performances set the stage for a star turn the following year.
Anthony Gould Career
Early Career (2019-2021)
Gould’s earliest years at Oregon State were defined by patience and steady growth. After redshirting his first year, he worked his way into the rotation as a receiver and returner, learning the finer points of route running and field vision. His first real taste of production came in 2021, when he flashed big-play ability against Hawaii and Utah.
That sophomore campaign gave the Oregon State coaching staff a clearer picture of how to deploy him. By the end of 2021, Gould had demonstrated enough explosiveness to suggest that a larger role was on the horizon, laying the groundwork for a breakout junior season.
Oregon State Breakthrough (2022)
The 2022 season was the year Anthony Gould announced himself as one of the Pac-12’s most dangerous weapons. In the opener against Boise State, he produced a 74-yard reception that helped set up a touchdown, finishing the day with two catches for 69 yards. A week later, his 42-yard grab set up the winning score as Oregon State beat Fresno State on the final play of the game.
Against Montana State, Gould caught five passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns and added an 80-yard punt return touchdown, showcasing his all-around value. In Week 11, he caught two passes for 49 yards and returned a punt 54 yards for another score. He closed the year with 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.
Final College Season (2023)
As a senior in 2023, Gould expanded his role on offense, lining up on 93 percent of his scrimmage snaps as an outside receiver rather than from the slot. He was regarded as one of the Pac-12’s best deep threats, using his speed to stretch the field. He finished the year with 44 receptions for 718 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per catch, and scored two touchdowns while also returning seven punts for 113 yards.
His strong senior campaign carried into the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, where he posted a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, the 19th fastest among all participants, and an athleticism score of 91 that ranked fourth among wide receivers. His overall Combine score of 75 placed him 19th among wideouts, helping boost his draft stock.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2024-Present)
The Indianapolis Colts selected Gould in the fifth round, 142nd overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. Throughout his rookie season, he served mainly as a return specialist, with his biggest impact coming in his NFL debut. In Week 1 against the Houston Texans, he recorded four punt returns for a season-high 109 yards, giving Colts fans an early glimpse of his game-breaking speed.
That role carried into 2025, when he posted two consecutive weeks of more than 100 return yards. In Week 3 he had 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 return yards in a single game. In 11 appearances with one start, he also added two receptions for six yards. On December 27, 2025, Gould was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Driving Style and Strengths
Gould’s game is built on speed, suddenness, and field awareness. He is at his best in space, whether tracking a deep ball as an outside receiver or reading blocks in the return game. His ability to line up outside the numbers and threaten defenses vertically has made him a valuable schematic piece, and his punt-return instincts have produced some of the most explosive plays of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Gould’s signature moments are his 80-yard punt return touchdown against Montana State in 2022, his 142nd-overall selection in the 2024 NFL draft, and his 109-yard punt-return debut against Houston. His career-high 122 combined return yards in a 2025 Week 4 game stand as another highlight in his young professional resume.
Anthony Gould Career Wins
Anthony Gould’s win résumé centers on team success and individual recognition. He helped Oregon State pull key Pac-12 victories in 2021 and 2022, and his production earned him first-team All-Pac-12 and first-team All-American honors as a punt returner in 2022.
Oregon State Highlights
Gould’s most memorable performances came during Oregon State’s 2022 campaign. He set up the game-winning score against Fresno State with a 42-yard reception, torched Montana State with two receiving touchdowns and an 80-yard punt return touchdown, and added a 54-yard punt return score later in the year. His 2023 production, including 44 receptions for 718 yards, capped his college career on a strong note.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level at West Salem, Gould put up 1,191 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns along with 744 rushing yards and seven scores, helping establish him as a regional standout. His Combine showing, including a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, marked another key performance checkpoint on his path to the NFL.
Anthony Gould Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Anthony Gould’s parents and broader family background are not publicly confirmed in available sources. What is documented is that he was born in Leavenworth, Kansas, and later settled in Oregon, where he attended West Salem High School and built the foundation of his football career.
Personal Life
Public information about Anthony Gould’s personal life is limited. He is known to wear jersey number 6 for the Indianapolis Colts and is active on social media, where he shares updates from his football career. Further details about a spouse, children, or residence are not confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Anthony Gould’s 2025 season with the Indianapolis Colts continued to highlight his value as a return specialist. He produced back-to-back weeks of 100-plus return yards, including a career-high 122 combined return yards in Week 4, while also chipping in on offense with two receptions across 11 games and one start. His ability to flip field position became a consistent feature of the Colts’ special teams unit.
His season, however, ended on a difficult note. On December 27, 2025, Gould was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Through his available appearances, he had posted three receptions for 29 receiving yards and 1,079 return yards, underscoring his growing impact before the injury cut his year short.
