Cole Payton looks to be the next NFL Draft pick from NDSU.
The Bison have had 14 selections since 2014, and they should have at least two more picks in the 2026 draft, with Bryce Lance being the other.
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Cole Payton NFL Draft Projection
Cole Payton is projected to be a 5th-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, per Draft Scout’s database. He is ranked as the No. 180 overall prospect and the No. 9 quarterback.
Update: Payton is selected by the Eagles in the 5th round.
Cole Payton NFL Draft Profile & College Stats
Payton had to wait until his fifth season at NDSU to become the starter. He was the backup to Cam Miller, who led the Bison to FCS national championships in 2021 and 2024 before being drafted in the 2025 sixth round.
Payton was too talented to keep off the field when Miller was at the helm. NDSU utilized him as a running quarterback, notably in 2023 when Payton ran 84 times for 615 yards and 13 touchdowns.
It wasn’t until his redshirt senior year that Payton took the reins of the offense. And he shined, proving to doubters that he had a good arm. The lefty completed 161/224 of his passes (72%) for 2,719 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions while rushing 136 times for 777 yards and 13 scores. Payton showed a strong enough arm with nice touch and the ability to throw on the run. He has a sturdy build with breakaway speed in the open field, while showing off his athleticism by hurdling over defenders on a few occasions.
His overall PFF grade was 95.9 in 2025, with a passing grade of 94.6, both No. 1 among all quarterbacks in the FCS and FBS.
Payton was named on the All-MVFC Second Team, earned multiple FCS All-American honors, and finished No. 3 in Walter Payton Award voting (best FCS offensive player).
He has put himself in a great position to be the fifth NDSU quarterback drafted since 2016, joining Carson Wentz, Easton Stick, Trey Lance, and Cam Miller.
NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein’s overview of Payton states: “Payton is a dual-threat, single-season FCS starter with good size. He’s a lefty with shoddy mechanics and subpar arm talent, but he still manages to deliver throws with touch to all three levels. He lacks drive velocity to dot throws into tight windows and might not have the timing needed to outfox pro zone defenders, though. He’s not shifty but excels when short yardage is needed and has build-up speed for explosive runs once he gets rolling. Payton projects as a QB3 and will require packaged plays to take advantage of his rushing ability until he proves himself a functional pocket passer.”
Cole Payton Highlights
Cole Payton Height & Weight
Payton measured in at 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds at the NFL Combine.
Cole Payton NFL Combine Results
Payton participated in five events at the NFL Combine.
He recorded a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, 4.36-second 20-yard shuttle, 7.12-second 3-cone drill, 40-inch vertical, and a 10-10 broad jump.
Each of those marks was Top 3 among quarterbacks at the 2026 NFL Combine, as Payton scored the No. 3 QB Athleticism Score.
Where Is Cole Payton From?
Payton’s hometown is Omaha, Nebraska.
He played football at Westside High School before beginning his collegiate career at NDSU in 2021.
Cole Payton High School Recruiting Ranking
Payton was a 2-star recruit in the high school class of 2021, per 247Sports.
NDSU Quarterback Draft Picks
Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, NDSU has had four quarterbacks selected since 2016.
Carson Wentz was drafted by Philadelphia in the 2016 first round, Easton Stick went to the Chargers in the 2019 fifth round, San Francisco selected Trey Lance in the 2021 first round, and Cam Miller was drafted by Las Vegas in the 2025 sixth round.
