Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 20, 2026

Mathew Sexton

Mathew Sexton is an American professional football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Eastern Michigan, and has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL), and the Vegas Vipers of the XFL.

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Mathew Sexton
No. 86 – Saskatchewan Roughriders
PositionWide receiver
Roster statusActive roster
CFL statusAmerican
Personal information
Born (1997-10-17) October 17, 1997
Clinton, Michigan, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Listed weight176 lb (80 kg)
Career information
High schoolClinton
CollegeEastern Michigan (2016–2019)
NFL draft2020: undrafted
Career history
* Offseason or practice squad member only
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Mathew Sexton (born October 17, 1997) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Eastern Michigan, and has also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL), and the Vegas Vipers of the XFL.

College career

Sexton began his true freshman season as a reserve wide receiver and contributed on special teams. He made his collegiate debut in the 2016 season opener against Mississippi Valley State in a victory. On the season, he appeared in eight games, recording three receptions for 51 yards while returning three kicks for 41 yards and making four tackles.

As a sophomore in 2017, Sexton appeared in 12 games and made two starts. He made his first career start in Week 2 against Ohio, a loss, and made his second start of the season in Week 4 against Army, where he recorded his first collegiate touchdown on an eight-yard reception from Brogan Roback in a 28–27 loss.1 In Week 8 against Northern Illinois, Sexton blocked a punt that was recovered by teammate Jaron Johnson in the end zone for a touchdown in a loss.2 On the season, he recorded 26 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns. He also served as the Eagles' primary kickoff returner, leading the team with 18 returns for 312 yards while adding 14 tackles.

As a junior in 2018, Sexton became a starting wide receiver. He made an immediate impact, recording receiving touchdowns in the first two weeks of the season in victories over Monmouth and Purdue. In the upset victory over Purdue, he recorded a season-high 81 receiving yards on three receptions, including a 75-yard touchdown. Sexton appeared in and started 12 of the Eagles' 13 games as they reached the Camellia Bowl against Georgia Southern, where he blocked a punt. He finished the season with 37 receptions for 419 yards and three touchdowns.

During the 2019 season, Sexton recorded a career-high seven receptions for 54 yards in a Week 2 loss to Kentucky. The following week against Illinois, he recorded a 54-yard touchdown reception in a 34–31 upset victory, marking the third time during his Eastern Michigan career that the Eagles defeated a Big Ten Conference opponent. The following week against Central Connecticut State, Sexton made another key special teams play, blocking a punt, recovering the loose ball, and returning it for a touchdown with 10 seconds remaining to give Eastern Michigan a 34–29 victory.3 On the season, he appeared in 11 games with 11 starts, missing the regular-season finale and the 2019 Quick Lane Bowl due to injury. He finished the year with 34 receptions for 508 yards and four touchdowns.

In his Eastern Michigan career, Sexton appeared in 43 games with 25 starts, recording 100 receptions for 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns. He also contributed on special teams with 26 tackles and three blocked punts.4

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span Wingspan 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 9+3⁄4 in
(1.77 m)		 176 lb
(80 kg)		 29+3⁄8 in
(0.75 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		 5 ft 8+1⁄2 in
(1.74 m)		 4.44 s 1.54 s 2.60 s 4.34 s 7.14 s 34.5 in
(0.88 m)		 10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		 14 reps
All values from Pro Day5

Pittsburgh Steelers

After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, Sexton joined The Spring League's Aviators in 2020. In Week 2, he recorded a walk-off game-winning punt return touchdown in overtime to defeat the Blues 23–17. The following week against the Conquerors, he returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown in a loss.6 Sexton signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 31, 2021.7 He was released on August 28, 2021.8

Kansas City Chiefs

On January 11, 2022, Sexton signed a future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs.9 He was released on June 23, 2022, but reverted to Injured Reserve. He was released on July 23, 2023.10

Vegas Vipers

On November 16, 2022, Sexton was drafted by the Vegas Vipers of the XFL.1112 He finished the 2023 season playing in 8 games with 23 receptions and 326 receiving yards.13

Atlanta Falcons

On August 4, 2023, Sexton signed with the Atlanta Falcons.14 He was released on August 30, 2022, but was re-signed to the practice squad.15 He was released on September 19, 2023.16

New England Patriots

On November 29, 2023, the New England Patriots signed Sexton to their practice squad, but was released the next day.17

Miami Dolphins

On January 17, 2024, Sexton signed a future contract with the Miami Dolphins but was waived on June 18, 2024.1819

San Antonio Brahmas

On August 27, 2024, Sexton signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL).20 In Week 4 of the 2025 UFL season, Sexton returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown. He totaled 107 all purpose yards and was announced as the UFL special teams player of the week.21 He was placed on injured reserve on May 19, 2025.22

Ottawa Redblacks

On February 13, 2026, Sexton signed with the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League (CFL).23 He was released on May 9.24

Saskatchewan Roughriders

On May 12, 2026, Sexton joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders as a training camp signing.25 In his CFL debut against Ottawa, Sexton returned a punt 101 yards for a go-ahead touchdown in the second half, helping the Roughriders to a 27–22 victory.26

Career statistics

Professional

Season Team League Games Receiving Kick returns Punt returns
GP GS Rec Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
2023 VGS XFL 10 3 23 364 15.8 0 3 49 16.3 0 13 101 7.8 0
2025 SA UFL 4 1 3 15 5.0 0 1 20 20.0 0 8 154 19.3 1
Career 14 4 26 379 14.6 0 4 69 17.3 0 21 255 12.1 1

College

College statistics
Season Team Games Receiving Rushing Kick returns Punt returns
GP GS Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD Ret Yds Avg TD
2016 Eastern Michigan 8 0 3 51 17.0 0 1 9 9.0 0 3 41 13.7 0 — — — —
2017 Eastern Michigan 12 2 26 357 13.7 2 — — — — 18 312 17.3 0 1 27 27.0 0
2018 Eastern Michigan 12 12 37 419 11.3 3 — — — — — — — — — — — —
2019 Eastern Michigan 11 11 34 508 14.9 4 5 14 2.8 0 — — — — 1 50 50.0 1
Career 43 25 100 1,335 13.4 9 6 23 3.8 0 21 353 16.8 0 2 77 38.5 1
References

References

  1. "2019 Eastern Michigan Football Media Guide" (PDF). Eastern Michigan Eagles Athletics. p. 52. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  2. "Football vs Northern Illinois on 10/26/2017 - Box Score". Eastern Michigan Eagles Athletics. October 26, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  3. "Late blocked punt returned for TD sends Eastern Michigan past Central Connecticut State". Yahoo Sports. September 21, 2019. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  4. "Mathew Sexton - Football". Eastern Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  5. "2020 NFL Draft Scout Mathew Sexton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
  6. "Standouts From The Spring League We Could See In XFL". Pro Football Newsroom. December 2020. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
  7. "Steelers Sign Mathew Sexton After Pro Day Workout". Eastern Michigan University Athletics. November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  8. Rutter, Joe (August 28, 2021). "WR/PR Mathew Sexton among 9 players trimmed from Steelers' roster". TribLIVE.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  9. Bouda, Nate (January 11, 2022). "NFL Transactions: Tuesday 1/11". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  10. "Chiefs news: Matthew Sexton released from injured reserve". Arrowhead Addict. July 24, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  11. "Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed". ESPN.com. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  12. Donnelly, Doug (November 22, 2022). "Sexton drafted into reformed XFL". The Daily Telegram.
  13. "Mathew Sexton XFL Stats & News". www.rotowire.com. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  14. Bouda, Nate (August 4, 2023). "Falcons Sign Four Players". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. Choate, Dave (August 25, 2023). "Falcons 2023 roster cuts tracker". The Falcoholic. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  16. Bouda, Nate (September 19, 2023). "Falcons Sign LB Milo Eifler To PS, Release WR Matthew Sexton". NFLTradeRumors.co. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  17. Weller, Sophie (November 29, 2023). "Patriots sign receiver to practice squad after successful workout". A to Z Sports. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  18. "Miami Dolphins Sign Sexton to Future Contract". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  19. "Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves". MiamiDolphins.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
  20. @UFL_PR (August 27, 2024). "The #UFL has announced the following transactions" (Tweet). Retrieved August 27, 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  21. "UFL Announces Week Four Players of the Week". The UFL. Retrieved April 25, 2025.
  22. Larsen, James (May 20, 2025). "Brahmas Sign Kary Vincent, Marcus Haynes, Thomas Gordon". PFNewsroom.com. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
  23. "REDBLACKS transactions February 13". OttawaRedblacks.com. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  24. "Ottawa Redblacks release QB Matt Morrissey, 15 others". 3DownNation.com. Retrieved May 10, 2026.
  25. Staff (May 12, 2026). "Riders Ink Speedy Receiver Mathew Sexton". Saskatchewan Roughriders. Retrieved May 12, 2026.
  26. "Mathew Sexton's return TD lifts Roughriders past RedBlacks". CFL.ca. July 3, 2026. Retrieved July 16, 2026.
External links