Cole Payton
QB
#18
Experience: R
Height: 6-2
Age: 23
Weight: 232 lbs
College: North Dakota State
STANDINGS
| NFC EAST | W | L | T | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Dallas Cowboys Cowboys | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
 New York Giants Giants | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
 Philadelphia Eagles Eagles | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
 Washington Commanders Commanders | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Preseason
| WK | Game Date | OPP | RESULT | COMP | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | INT | SCK | SCKY | RATE | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD | FUM | LOST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 08/28/2026 | Bengals | L 13 - 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 39.6 | ||||||
| 2 | 08/22/2026 | @Patriots | L 21 - 24 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 108.3 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| 1 | 08/15/2026 | @Ravens | L 7 - 24 | 4 | 9 | 37 | 4.1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93.3 | 3 | 45 | 15 | 0 |
Biography
BIRDSEED
During his time at North Dakota State, was recognized for numerous educational honors ... Was a three-time (2022-24) MVFC Honor Roll selection, two-time (2022, '24) MVFC Commissioner's Academic Excellence Award winner, one-time (2025) CSC Academic All-District Team and MVFC Scholar-Athlete second team
Was selected as Nebraska's 2021 Gatorade Player of the Year out of Westside (NE) High School after registering 1,704 passing yards, 1,029 rushing yards and 39 total TDs (22 passing, 17 rushing) ... Finished his high school career with over 5,000 passing yards, 2,000 rushing yards and 103 total TDs
COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS
Spent five seasons in the collegiate ranks with North Dakota State (2021-25), appearing in 52 contests (14 starts) and totaling 3,188 yards and 21 TDs on 198-of-282 (70.0%) ... Also added 1,918 yards and 31 rushing TDs on 287 carries (6.7 avg.)
In his lone season as the Bison's starting QB in 2025, completed 161- of-224 (71.9%) passes for 2,719 yards and 16 TDs, along with 777 yards and 13 TDs on 136 carries (5.7 avg.) ... Was selected as a Walter Payton Award finalist (FCS's best player), a FCS Football Central All-America first-team selection and Associated Press all-purpose back ... Set single-season program records in total offensive yards per game (268.9), pass efficiency (193.8) and offensive yards per play (9.7)