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Home > Bison Media Zone > 'He's going to be a special player'; Payton prepares for his shot as Bison quarterback
Podcast: Bison Media Zone
Episode:

'He's going to be a special player'; Payton prepares for his shot as Bison quarterback
Category: Sports & Recreation
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2022-04-23 12:42:37
Description: FARGO - Being in the spotlight is nothing new for Cole Payton. It's just the spotlight in Fargo is brighter if you're a quarterback.

"It was very hectic. I was a deer lost in the headlights. That's what happens to all of us." Payton said.


Cole Payton prepares for his shot as NDSU quarterback

Payton came to Fargo as one of the most heralded recruits in North Dakota State's Division I history. He turned down a Nebraska offer to sign with the Bison.



Payton lead his high school, Omaha Westside to an unbeaten season and a state championship in 2020, along the way winning Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year.



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When he arrived in Fargo last summer, the 6-3, 228 pound left hander was launched right into the middle of a quarterback battle between Cam Miller and Quincy Patterson. Head coach Matt Entz made sure that Payton felt like he was right in the mix too.



"I'm super grateful for Cam and Quincy. They didn't hide anything from me. They were straight up with me and I learned so much from them."



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Payton dressed for all 15 games last season and thanks to the NCAA rule that allows freshmen to play four games and still keep their redshirt, Payton got in three games.



He didn't hesitate to show off his athleticism scoring touchdowns in two of them. Just like another young Bison quarterback did in 2018. Trey Lance.



"Coach Hedberg told me that after my second touchdown, I thought that was pretty cool."



"He's going to be a special young player, he can throw the ball and run the ball for a guy his size.



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The young man is going to be a good player, he's a leader and a leader with this class he came in with. It shows how he carries himself with his teammates and how he carries himself." NDSU quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg said.



Payton may be the number three quarterback on the depth chart right now, but says he's used these spring practices to give himself every chance to be on the field this fall.



"I just want to keep pushing and not settling, not letting anyone get in my way. I am going to keep improving and make a name for myself."



NDSU will hold its final practice of the spring Saturday at 2pm at Gate City Bank Field at the Fargodome.

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