One of the strengths of wide receiver Anthony Gould's game was his big-play ability on special teams.
However, with the Colts, he wants to prove that he can be an offensive weapon as well.
"I think that [special teams] is definitely a part of my game, but I think it's definitely more than just the return part," Gould said. "I think I've solidified that I can play wide receiver at a high level throughout this process."
After taking Gould in the fifth round with the No. 142 pick, the team appears to believe that as well.
In his three seasons at Oregon State, Gould caught 84 passes for 1,360 yards and six receiving touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown.
Though Gould sees his speed as one of his best assets, he said what made him difficult to defend was the way he could run the full route tree.
"I ran a full tree at Oregon State where we're having to take deep shots, but also we're living in the middle of the field and running a lot of stuff from the slot," Gould said. "Luckily for me, I played outside and inside in college. So, I'm a guy you can put wherever gameplan wise."
The Colts added more speed to their team on Saturday, selecting Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould in the fifth round (No. 142 overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Oregon State's Anthony Gould returns a Montana State kick during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
East's Anthony Gould, of Oregon State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould, right, is tackled by California defensive back Lu-Magia Hearns III after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) reacts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 62-17. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
East's Anthony Gould, of Oregon State, returns a punt for a touchdown during the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) prepares to run downfield during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Oregon State Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) is brought down by Washington cornerback Elijah Jackson during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould poses for a portrait at the NFL football Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. (Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould, left, catches a pass during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. V·squez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) reacts during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 62-17. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
East's Anthony Gould, of Oregon State, returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half of the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith hugs senior wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) during a pre game ceremony before an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Washington won 22-20. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) carries a ball after a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. Washington won 22-20. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
Oregon State's Anthony Gould fields a punt return against Washingotn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 24-10. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
East's Anthony Gould, of Oregon State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould is lifted by offensive lineman Jake Levengood after scoring a touchdown against Montana State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Washington State defensive back Sam Lockett III, left, returns an interception in front of Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould, right, secures a pass next to Washington State defensive back Cam Lampkin (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Pullman, Wash. Washington State won 38-35. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)
East's Anthony Gould, second from right, of Oregon State, avoids a tackle by West's Ja'Quan Sheppard, of Maryland, on his way to scoring on a punt return during the second half of the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) catches a pass in front San Diego State cornerback Noah Tumblin (10) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Mark Ylen)
East's Anthony Gould (2) of Oregon State, returns a punt for a touchdown during the second half of the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould speaks at the NCAA college football Pac-12 media day. Friday, July 21, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Lucas Peltier)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) rushes during an NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. Oregon State won 38-10. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
East's Anthony Gould, of Oregon State, participates in the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 2, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
East's Anthony Gould (2) of Oregon State, returns a punt for a touchdown as West's Ryan Rehkow (39) of BYU, and Jason Johnson (40) of UCF, give chase in the second half of the East West Shrine Bowl NCAA college football game in Frisco, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould catches a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against California on Saturday, Nov 12, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould carries against Southern California during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. Southern California won 17-14. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon State wide receiver Anthony Gould (2) runs past California safety Daniel Scott (32) and wide receiver Kenden Robinson Jr. for a touchdown off of a punt return during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov 12, 2022, in Corvallis, Ore. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
But make no mistake about it, Gould will be utilized on special teams too.
In 2022, he led the Pac-12 with 256 punt return yards and led the nation with two punt return touchdowns. In 2023, he averaged 18.3 yards per punt return, which led all Pac-12 players.
For Gould, the secret to being successful in the return game is to believe that no one can stop you in the open field.
"I think it was just the confidence. Just going back there and every time I'm back there, I think I'm [gonna] score," Gould said. "I've been doing that for such a long time. I did it at a high level in college, so I don't expect that to slow down."
Gould's landing with the Colts feels even more timely with the NFL making changes to its kickoff rules for the 2024 season.
Feeling like it will give returners more of an advantage, Gould said he is excited to see them for himself.
"The way I look at it, it's almost like a glorified punt," Gould said. " Guys are gonna be a lot closer in space. Guys aren't getting 20 yard, 25 yard head starts running towards you. So, blocks are gonna get picked up cleaner. But it's gonna be interesting to see how that works with the schematic of things.
"But I know I could come in day one - punt return, kick return, that's all my game. So, I'm excited to see how the new rules for that shake out. I'm excited to just get to Indy and get to work."
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