On Saturday, April 25 North Dakota State quarterback, Cole Payton, was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 178th pick overall in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Payton was a 2021 recruit out of Omaha, Nebraska. Who spent five seasons in a Bison jersey.
He is now the fifth consecutive Bison QB to be selected in the NFL Draft joining Carson Wentz, Easton Stick, Trey Lance, and Cam Miller.
Payton may have only started for one season in 2025 after sitting behind previous starter Cam Miller for four seasons… But NDSU still had a roll carved out for the talented ball carrier. In 52 career games, he completed 198 of 282 passes (70 percent) with 21 touchdowns and only six interceptions. He carried the ball 287 times for 1918 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Payton joins a quarterback room highlighted by Super Bowl winner, Jalen Hurts.
