‘Film Junkie’

Joe Beschorner paused for a beat before recounting his initial impressions of former North Dakota State quarterback Cole Payton.

Beschorner, currently the Bison’s quarterbacks coach, joined the coaching staff back in early 2021, a timeline closely aligning with Payton’s arrival in Fargo.

He then proceeded, first noting Payton’s filled-out frame before moving on and highlighting the Nebraska native’s mobility — Payton last season carried 136 times for 777 yards and 13 touchdowns — and athleticism. He would also include Payton’s ability as a passer, punctuating his response for good measure.

Payton and Beschorner worked closely for only one season, but the rapport was forged over the years. Beschorner, who immediately reached out to Payton once the Eagles selected him in the fifth round of the NFL Draft, would’ve even been at Payton’s draft gathering had it not been for family obligations.

Instead, Beschorner watched from his living room, fixed “in a haze of perfume and hairspray” ahead of his daughter’s senior prom.

“I’m so fired up for him,” he said in an interview with Inside The Birds. “And I know what an unbelievable human being and an unbelievable competitor the Eagles are getting.”

GETTY IMAGES/Don Juan Moore: Cole Payton waited his turn for a while at North Dakota State before becoming the starting QB.

Beschorner boasts a diverse coaching background. His first few seasons were spent presiding exclusively over the running backs and in 2024 would juggle three assignments, overseeing tight ends, fullbacks and special teams. The winds of change that gusted in shortly thereafter would modify Beschorner’s path, when esteemed associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg announced his retirement on the heels of his 45th season of coaching.

For the first time in 11 seasons, the program had a vacancy at quarterbacks coach, and it was Beschorner who was identified as the successor.

During Beschorner’s time at North Dakota State, practices had been conducted as a double-rep operation, with two occurring at once. Hedberg, entrenched in his role, would work with the starting quarterback and senior members while Beschorner, a more recent addition to the staff, worked with the younger contingent, which included Payton.

Beschorner lauded Payton’s embracement of film study and the preparation element required to play the position at a high level, citing his “meticulous” approach.

Payton would spend a considerable amount of time combing through opponents, and self-scout, supporting Beschorner’s assessment of Payton as a “film junkie.” But beyond his thoroughness behind the scenes, Payton was a sponge in plain view, responding favorably to coaching directives while continually seeking information to sharpen his overall football acumen.

Beschorner noted that while Payton strived for perfection on every play, the quarterback also grasped that perfection is unattainable, invaluably equipping him with a short memory wired to shift to the ensuing play.

“Extremely coachable,” Beschorner said. “Wants as much information as he can get. He’s got a thirst for knowledge, he’s got a curiosity about football and the game. He loves the schematic standpoint, he loves the ultimate chess match that football is. [The Eagles] got a guy who really wants to be great.”

For much of his college career, Payton mired in relative obscurity. When former Bison quarterback Trey Lance, drafted third overall by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, departed for the next level, a three-way quarterback competition ensued between redshirt sophomore Quincy Patterson, sophomore Cam Miller, and then-freshman Payton ahead of the 2021 season.

Patterson initially emerged as the top option, starting the first seven games of the season before giving way to Miller, who closed out the final eight, including the 2022 NCAA Division I Football Championship. Meanwhile, Payton redshirted.

Payton would spend the next three seasons behind Miller, totaling just 55 pass attempts, but the uniqueness of his athleticism prevented a full-fledged banishment to the sidelines. As Payton told it last week at the Jefferson Health Training Complex, his skill set sparked a flirtation of experiments.

“In college, I got a couple reps at running back, at tight end even in-game, so we played with that a little bit,” he said. “In practice, I was doing special teams drills. As a junior, I also started on punt, even as the backup quarterback, so I’ve done a little bit of it.”

Would the rookie be open to moonlighting elsewhere, beyond the scope of his position of trade?

“I just love the game of football,” he responded.

Apart from his dynamic, dual-threat abilities, Payton is a rare case. For perspective, in an era of college athletics when it’s become commonplace to enter the transfer portal in search of a more appealing foothold, Payton elected to remain at North Dakota State and stay the course.

He waited his turn, preparing for his bite at the proverbial apple, and seized the opportunity when his number was called, garnering honorable mention All-American recognition in his lone season as a starter on the back of a redshirt senior season in which he tossed 16 touchdowns against four interceptions and completed 72% of his passes.

“I think that he felt like North Dakota State was going to be the best place to prepare him to reach his full potential and prepare him to reach his goal, which he did,” Beschorner said. “Which is obviously to be drafted and have an opportunity to play in the NFL. I think that the history and pedigree of the program and, particularly, that position is something that he realized was his best opportunity.”

The meticulous preparation is an intangible embedded in Payton’s DNA. It’s a quality necessary to thrive in any industry, to be sure, but an especially notable one for a Day 3 rookie playing the most important position in sports. It can elongate the shelf-life of a commonly nomadic role as a backup quarterback.

Beschorner used a specific example from last season to spotlight the preparedness of the newest Eagles quarterback.

Earlier in the year, the Bison were running a scissors concept off play action. In practice, the offense called the play against what Beschorner recalled to be “maybe two looks,” as football is largely predicated on playing the odds based on tendencies.

They had seen one other look, though the expectation was that there was a “very minute” possibility it could manifest. Payton clipped it anyway and covered it with the wide receivers on his own the Friday morning before the game. Sure enough, the unlikely scenario revealed itself, but Payton and his cohorts were positioned to capitalize.

The adjustment resulted in a touchdown.

GETTY IMAGES/Cooper Neill: Cole Payton’s athleticism attracted him to the Eagles.

Perhaps the most understated characteristic tied to the quarterback position would be the leadership component. There isn’t a playbook for it, and it doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Leadership also isn’t a one-size-fits-all; there are some who set the tone with their actions and habits, and others who subscribe to a more vocal approach.

Interpersonal skills aid and an innate devotion to one’s craft typically serves as a solid foundation, both attributes shared by Payton. Even after four years of taking a back seat, it wasn’t long after assuming the reins as the starter that his natural leadership abilities surged to the forefront.

“I think that it came natural to him, but he also grew the role for himself,” Beschorner explained. “He’s got the natural ability to connect with people, but then he also holds himself to an extremely high standard, which people appreciate and naturally gravitate towards.”

When asked last week about his perspective on his evolution as a quarterback during his time at North Dakota State, Payton pointed to his growth and confidence as a pocket passer, developed through reps and training mechanics. Payton mentioned working with former NFL quarterback Jake Heaps during the pre-draft process, bonding over the holistic view of the position, along with the mechanical aspect. He noted the confidence it’s given him as a passer.

But when it comes to the quarterback position, the Eagles are well stocked. Jalen Hurts, the team’s franchise quarterback who is 15 months removed from becoming a Super Bowl MVP, leads the way. Fourth-year signal-caller Tanner McKee is valued in the building and, at least for now, remains entrenched as Hurts’ top backup. Then there’s veteran Andy Dalton, whom Payton met at the Jefferson Health Training Complex. The Eagles traded for the 16-year pro in March, and Dalton is currently projected to assume the No. 3 role behind Hurts and McKee.

It’s worth noting that Eagles executive vice president/general manager Howie Roseman mentioned the team would be open to carrying four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, though time has a way of altering plans.

So, the natural question becomes, how can Payton provide value when relegated to a reserve role?

“I think it starts with just doing whatever the team needs,” he said, “whatever that looks like – competing, improving and growing and learning and following their lead.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com