After four years of searching for their next quarterback, the Cowboys think they landed him.

And he isn’t the only one they signed.

Head coach Matt Viator and his staff added four new players on Monday. All have at least two years of experience in FBS programs.

“We are very excited about this group,” said Viator. “We think they fill an immediate need. They are guys we are familiar with and can help us.”

Quarterback Jake Strong leads the new signees. He comes to McNeese State after spending two years at Texas Tech. 

He is joined by defensive tackle Keenan Landry (Kent State), Ryan Robinson (Iowa State), and long snapper Pierson Parent (Houston). 

“I think this shows the value in what McNeese football is,” said Cowboy Chief of Staff Aaron Ingram. “The fact that guys from the FBS level would look to McNeese shows the culture and what we have going on here matters.”

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Strong was once a highly sought-after high school quarterback in Texas. He was rated the No. 37 quarterback in the nation and the No. 106 overall prospect in Texas in the recruiting class of 2023, according to 247Sports. 

“Jake is a great addition to our quarterback room,” said McNeese offensive coordinator Tyler Bolfing. “He is a talented player and will battle for the job. We are excited to have him join us.”

As a true freshman, Strong appeared in three games before redshirting. 

Strong started one game for Tech at BYU. Over those three games, he hit 35 of 65 passes for 409 yards, two touchdowns and six interceptions.

Strong also rushed for 61 yards, including a long of 54. 

Last fall, Strong slipped down the depth chart and didn’t play, leaving him with likely four seasons of eligibility. 

Strong is expected to battle Alex Flores for the starting job next fall. Flores came to McNeese from Mt. San Antonio Junior College in CA. 

He played in four games last season for the Cowboys, starting one game. He finished the year 34 of 51 for 337 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Flores was the third Cowboy to start at quarterback last season after transfer Clifton McDowell and Kamden Sixkiller were injured. Sixkiller has signed to play at Campbell University, while McDowell has announced he is entering the NFL draft.

Landry was a prep star down the road at Jennings High School, and Robinson, a defensive back originally from New Orleans, will be returning to their home state.

The 6-foot-2, 315-pound Landry was at Florida and Kent State, while Robinson (6-1, 185) spent two seasons at LSU and last year with Iowa State.

Landry helped Jennings advance to the state championship game during his junior season in high school. He returned to Southwest Louisiana after a year in junior college, one at Florida in 2023, when he played against McNeese, and last season at Kent State.

Landry played nine games for the Flashes with 15 tackles, forcing and recovering a fumble. Roberts has seen limited action but has at least two years of eligibility remaining.

Parent spent one year at Tulane before moving to Houston last year. He is also returning to Louisiana after playing high school football at Dutchtown.

McNeese is still waiting to hear Micah Davey’s decision. The All-American linebacker entered the portal at the end of last year and may still return for his senior season. 

It would appear Davey is deciding between McNeese and UNLV. 

Wide receiver Johnathan Harris has been given another year of eligibility by the NCAA and will return to McNeese. Harris was second on the team in catches last year, with 21 for 325 yards and a touchdown. 

Despite the Cowboys’ quarterback problems, Harris averaged 15.5 yards a catch while playing in all 12 games. In his two years at McNeese, he played in 22 of 23 contests, pulling in 36 catches for 516 yards and a pair of scores.