Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Tanos Potter
Cole Payton is an American professional football quarterback who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League (NFL). Before entering professional football, he established himself as a talented dual-threat quarterback at North Dakota State University.
Born on October 26, 2002, in Omaha, Nebraska, Payton grew up in a family that supported his athletic ambitions. His parents are Brian Payton and Lynda Payton, and he has a brother named Ethan Payton.
Despite attracting national attention following his selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, Payton has maintained a relatively private personal life. Information about his romantic relationships and whether he has children remains limited.
Here is everything publicly known about Cole Payton’s girlfriend, children, parents, and siblings.
Cole Payton’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Cole Payton has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend or romantic partner through reliable, widely available sources.
Although the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has received increasing media attention since entering the NFL, most interviews and news articles have focused on his athletic abilities, college football journey, and professional ambitions.
His official North Dakota State University biography and Philadelphia Eagles player profile do not identify a girlfriend or spouse.
Payton also has not been the subject of any well-documented public relationship announcement in major sports publications.
This does not necessarily mean that he is single. Rather, his current relationship status has not been independently established.
Is Cole Payton Married?
There is currently no reliable public confirmation that Cole Payton is married.
Neither his official college football biography nor his NFL team profile includes information about a wife or wedding.
Until Payton publicly confirms a marriage or a reputable publication documents one, his marital status should be considered unverified.
Cole Payton’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, Cole Payton has no publicly confirmed children.
There have been no verified announcements identifying a son or daughter belonging to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
His official college and NFL biographies do not provide information about fatherhood, and publicly available interviews have primarily addressed his football career.
Consequently, there is insufficient reliable evidence to determine whether Payton has any children.
Any future information regarding his family life should be based on verified public announcements rather than speculation.
Cole Payton’s Parents: Meet Brian and Lynda Payton
Cole Payton was born to Brian Payton and Lynda Payton, who are identified in his official North Dakota State University football biography.
Payton grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where he developed his passion for football and became one of the state’s most accomplished high school quarterbacks.
His former high school coach has publicly praised his upbringing, character, and commitment to achieving his goals.
Cole Payton’s Father: Brian Payton
Brian Payton is Cole Payton’s father.
His name is confirmed in Cole’s official North Dakota State University football profile, which identifies Brian and Lynda as the quarterback’s parents.
Brian is part of the Omaha family from which Cole emerged as an outstanding high school football player.
During his years at Westside High School, Cole demonstrated considerable talent as both a passer and a runner, eventually becoming one of Nebraska’s most highly regarded football prospects.
In April 2026, former Westside head coach Brett Froendt discussed the quarterback’s development in an interview with Hurrdat Sports.
Froendt highlighted Cole’s character, perseverance, and upbringing, particularly his willingness to remain at North Dakota State for several years before receiving an opportunity to become the team’s starting quarterback.
Beyond his identification as Cole’s father, reliable public sources provide limited information about Brian’s occupation, educational background, and personal life.
Cole Payton’s Mother: Lynda Payton
Lynda Payton is Cole Payton’s mother.
Like his father, Lynda is named in the quarterback’s official North Dakota State University athletics biography.
She is part of the family with whom Cole grew up in Omaha, Nebraska.
Throughout his football journey, Payton has maintained ties to his hometown and publicly expressed pride in representing Omaha and the state of Nebraska.
His commitment to education was also evident during his college career. He graduated from North Dakota State in May 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and completed a master’s degree in the same field in December 2025.
In addition to his athletic achievements, he received several academic recognitions during his time with the Bison.
Although Lynda’s name is publicly documented, further details about her career and private activities have not been extensively reported by reliable sources.
Cole Payton’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
Cole Payton has one publicly documented sibling, a brother named Ethan Payton.
His official North Dakota State University biography specifically identifies Ethan as his brother.
No additional brothers or sisters are listed in the available official university records.
Ethan Payton – Cole Payton’s Brother
Ethan Payton is Cole Payton’s brother and the only sibling named in his official college football biography.
Both are members of the Payton family from Omaha, Nebraska.
Unlike Cole, who has become a nationally recognized football player, Ethan maintains a relatively private public profile.
There is limited verified information about Ethan’s education, career, or possible participation in competitive sports.
His age and whether he is older or younger than Cole have also not been reliably established in the available official sources.
Nevertheless, Ethan’s identity as Cole Payton’s brother is confirmed by North Dakota State University’s athletics department.
Cole Payton’s Family Background and Early Life
Cole Payton grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended Westside High School.
During his high school career, he became one of the most productive quarterbacks in the school’s history.
As a three-year starter under head coach Brett Froendt, Payton led the Warriors to a 31-5 record and helped the team capture the Nebraska Class A state championship in 2020.
Across his high school career, he recorded 5,338 passing yards and 65 passing touchdowns, while adding 2,122 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground.
His senior-season performances earned him the 2020-21 Gatorade Nebraska Football Player of the Year award.
Payton also demonstrated academic ability, maintaining a 3.75 grade-point average during high school, according to Gatorade’s official award announcement.
He additionally participated in community volunteer activities, including programs supporting food assistance and youth sports.
These accomplishments helped establish his reputation as a disciplined student-athlete before he enrolled at North Dakota State University.
How Cole Payton’s Upbringing Influenced His Football Career
Cole Payton’s transition from high school football to professional competition required patience and determination.
After joining North Dakota State in 2021, he spent several seasons contributing in a reserve quarterback role and as a versatile offensive player.
Rather than transferring to another university to seek immediate playing time, Payton remained committed to the Bison program.
His patience eventually paid off when he became North Dakota State’s starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
That year, he passed for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 777 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
He finished third in the voting for the Walter Payton Award, which recognizes the top offensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.
His former high school coach, Brett Froendt, connected this perseverance to Payton’s character and upbringing during a 2026 interview with Hurrdat Sports.
Payton’s achievements also attracted attention from NFL scouts, ultimately leading to his selection by the Philadelphia Eagles.
His journey illustrates how persistence, academic commitment, and personal discipline can contribute to long-term sporting success.
Cole Payton’s NFL Career With the Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles selected Cole Payton with the 178th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
He became another North Dakota State quarterback to reach the NFL, following players such as Carson Wentz, Easton Stick, Trey Lance, and Cam Miller.
At North Dakota State, Payton developed a reputation as a powerful runner and accurate left-handed quarterback.
His mobility, size, and throwing ability made him an intriguing developmental prospect for Philadelphia.
Following the draft, Payton expressed enthusiasm about joining the Eagles and learning from the team’s experienced quarterbacks and coaching staff.
He made his NFL preseason debut against the Baltimore Ravens in August 2026, throwing a touchdown pass.
As of now, he remains a member of the Philadelphia Eagles as he continues developing his professional football career.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cole Payton’s Family
Who is Cole Payton’s girlfriend?
As of now, Cole Payton has not publicly confirmed a girlfriend through reliable, widely available sources. His current relationship status remains private.
Is Cole Payton married?
There is no verified public confirmation that Cole Payton is married or has a wife.
Does Cole Payton have children?
As of now, Cole Payton has no publicly confirmed children. No reliable announcement identifying a son or daughter has been established.
Who is Cole Payton’s father?
Cole Payton’s father is Brian Payton, whose name is confirmed in his official North Dakota State University football biography.
Who is Cole Payton’s mother?
Cole Payton’s mother is Lynda Payton. She and Brian Payton are named as his parents in official university athletics records.
Does Cole Payton have a brother?
Yes. Cole Payton has a brother named Ethan Payton, according to his official North Dakota State University biography.
Does Cole Payton have a sister?
No sisters are identified in his official college football biography. His only publicly documented sibling is his brother Ethan.
Where is Cole Payton’s family from?
Cole Payton is from Omaha, Nebraska, where he attended Westside High School before playing college football at North Dakota State University.
How old is Cole Payton?
Cole Payton was born on October 26, 2002.
Which NFL team does Cole Payton play for?
Cole Payton plays quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Tanos Potter is a sports journalist and NFL analyst dedicated to bringing fans closer to the gridiron through deep tactical analysis and roster coverage. He breaks down offensive and defensive schemes, quarterback performance, trade moves, and top Draft prospects. Tracking action across both the AFC and NFC, Tanos translates complex playbooks and statistics into engaging, actionable insights for football enthusiasts.
