A left-handed dual-threat quarterback who set North Dakota State passing records in his only season as a starter, drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round.
Cole Payton waited behind Cam Miller for most of his North Dakota State career before finally taking over as the Bison's starter in 2025, and he made the most of it, rewriting the school's passing efficiency records. The Omaha, Nebraska native and left-hander joined a long line of NDSU quarterbacks to reach the NFL when the Eagles drafted him in the fifth round of the 2026 draft.
Path to the league
Payton starred at Westside High School in Omaha, earning Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior dual-threat passer. He redshirted his first year at North Dakota State in 2021 and spent the next several seasons in a reserve or injury-limited role, including a 2024 campaign cut short by a season-ending injury, before finally becoming the full-time starter in 2025.
Career highlights
Payton won two FCS national championships with North Dakota State, in 2021 and 2024, largely as a backup and reserve contributor. He finished his college career with 3,190 passing yards and 21 touchdowns through the air, plus 1,919 rushing yards and 31 rushing touchdowns on the ground.
2025 season recap
In his lone season as North Dakota State's starter, Payton threw for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions while rushing for 777 yards and 13 more scores, setting school records for passer rating, yards per attempt and total offense per game. He earned second-team All-MVFC honors and led the Bison to a 12-1 record and the top seed in the FCS playoffs before the Eagles drafted him 178th overall.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Cole Payton
- Philadelphia Eagles: Eagles draft QB Cole Payton No. 178 overall
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Quarterback
- Group
- offense
- College
- North Dakota State
- Hometown
- Omaha, NE, USA
- Age
- 23
- Status
- active
