North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton already spent most of his collegiate career in Miami Dolphins backup quarterback Cam Miller‘s shadow.
As Payton approaches the NFL Draft, he doesn’t want to be in anyone else’s shadow either. Therefore, he’s not a fan of the Taysom Hill comparison — a big, physical, and mobile quarterback who impressed New Orleans Saints fans but never became the guy after future Hall of Famer Drew Brees retired.
“Taysom Hill is a great athlete, a great competitor, [and he’s] been in the league for a while … but I’m trying to change that,” Payton told CBS Sports at the NFL Combine last week. “I definitely changed that this year, especially along with being at the Senior Bowl. A lot of the conversations have been strictly playing quarterback. Some will ask me about special teams, but more often than not, it’s about playing quarterback.”
Payton, 6-foot-3 and 232 pounds, mostly played in running packages for the Bison while Miller remained the starter until the 2025 season when Miller graduated and entered the draft. It worked well for the Bison between 2021 and 2024, as Payton had at least 7.3 yards per carry and 18 touchdowns in that span.
Cole Payton Emerged as a Passer
Before 2025, Payton threw only 58 passes for 471 yards and five touchdowns. All of that resembles Hill, who has 2,551 yards rushing and 34 touchdowns in his career, but only 2,426 yards passing and 12 touchdowns.
“There’s always kind of been that label on me, that Taysom Hill label,” Payton explained. “I mean, yeah … especially going into this last season, there was that narrative [about me].”
Payton broke that narrative as much as he could with a 72% completion rate for 2,179 yards and 16 touchdowns versus four interceptions. He helped the Bison go 12-0 before a stunning loss in the FCS playoffs.
“I’m an animal when the ball’s in my hand,” Payton said. “I’m going to go over, through, or around you. It starts with being an ultimate competitor and I’m gritty. … I think it comes down to being the ultimate competitor and freaking gritty, man.”
Cole Payton is Ready
Payton benefitted from star wide receiver Bryce Lance, who is also a serious NFL prospect in this year’s draft. Lance, the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers backup quarterback Trey Lance, had 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight touchdowns in 2025.
“I think that [connection with the younger Lance] stems from my passing ability and being able to make every throw,” Payton said. “Bryce is an unbelievable talent… freakishly fast, has got great hands and can move his body in this way, kind of like Justin Jefferson. But the thing about Bryce is he works his tail off… everything he’s gotten, he’s earned.”
Despite only one season as starter, Payton has impressed scouts and moved up draft boards left and right. He shined at the Shrine Bowl and hit historic marks at the combine, and Payton expects more than the experts expect of him as he approaches is pro career — whether or not he lands on Day Three of the draft.
“I believe I’m a starter in this league,” he said.
NDSU’s Cole Payton Sounds Off on Taysom Hill Comparison