Cole Payton
QB
#9
|
NDSU Bison
6'3"
233lbs
Sr.
Draft Eligibility:
2026
Overall Grade '25
95.9
1st/302 - QBs
Passing Yards '25
2719
67th/302 - QBs
Passing TDs '25
16
104th/302 - QBs
CC WK MATCHUP
-
Cole
Payton
QB
#9
|
NDSU Bison
BIO
GRADES
SEASON STATS
Mock Draft Simulator
Summary Bio
Summary Bio
Last updated: 4/2/2026
Cole Payton is a quarterback for the North Dakota State Bison who earned a 95.9 overall PFF grade in the 2025 season, 1st among 302 qualified quarterbacks. His PFF passing grade of 94.6 ranked 1st at the position.
Through 299 dropbacks, he threw for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns against 4 interceptions. He recorded 26 big-time throws and 6 turnover-worthy plays, reflecting his decision-making under pressure.
He operated with an average depth of target of 12.3 yards and an average time to throw of 3.33 seconds. On the ground, Payton added 496 scramble yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, earning a 89.4 rushing grade (3rd among 113 qualified quarterbacks).
Career
Career
Teams
Year
North Dakota State Bison
2021 - Present
PFF Grades
PFF Grades
2025
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
OVERALL GRADE
95.9
AVG
1st/302 QBs
PASSING GRADE
94.6
AVG
1st/302 QBs
RUSHING GRADE
89.4
AVG
3rd/113 QBs
Highest Graded Games
Highest Graded Games
vsSDVE
95.3
Week 5, 2025
vsILSO
93.8
Week 7, 2025
vsMOSE
93.3
Week 3, 2025
Lowest Graded Games
Lowest Graded Games
@SDST
51.9
Week 10, 2023
vsILST
53.2
Week 15, 2025
vsILSO
54.8
Week 11, 2023
Grades by Game
Grades by Game
View in Premium Stats
Premium Stats
There's no Grades by Game data available for this player.
Season Stats
Season Stats
2025
Regular
Players receive a ranking if they qualify 25% of the maximum targets, run attempts or dropbacks at the position (depending on the metric).
ATTEMPTS
226
195th/302 QBs
PASSING TDS
16
104th/302 QBs
PASSING YDS
2719
67th/302 QBs
INTERCEPTIONS
4
59th/302 QBs
Passing
View in Premium Stats
Rank
173
rd
Pass Snaps
306
166
th
Dropbacks
299
195
th
Attempts
226
67
th
Passing Yards
2719
104
th
Passing Touchdowns
16
59
th
Interceptions
4
6
th
aDot
12.3
2
nd
Average Time-to-Throw
3.33
175
th
Pressure-to-Sack Rate %
19.6%
14
th
Big-Time Throws
26
35
th
Turnover-Worthy Plays
6
Rushing
View in Premium Stats
Rank
32
nd
Rush Snaps
364
38
th
Designed Runs
120
39
th
Designed Run Yards
398
103
rd
Scrambles
53
3
rd
Scramble Yards
496
13
th
Rushing Touchdowns
13
© 2026 PFF - all rights reserved.