Gary Goff has hit Lake Charles running.

In his first full week on the job, the new McNeese State head football coach filled his biggest need.

On Friday, Goff signed quarterback Knox Kadum from the NCAA transfer portal. Kadum is a sophomore who was a backup the last two seasons at Power Five Virginia Tech of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Originally committed to James Madison out of high school, the Rome, Georgia, native played a limited role for the Hokies.

Sources said Kadum made a formal visit Thursday to McNeese and signed Friday morning. He officially entered the transfer portal Dec. 1, a day after Virginia Tech named Brent Pry head coach.

On Thursday, Pry and the Hokies brought in transfer quarterbacks Grant Wells from Marshall and Jason Brown from South Carolina.

In two seasons at Virginia Tech, Kadum was 16 of 30 for 219 yards and an interception. He also ran for 41 yards but is considered more of a pocket passer.

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Kadum has three years of eligibility remaining and will start school on Monday when the spring semester begins.

During his high school career in Georgia, Kadum won two state championships and numerous state individual honors.

“Knox is a very good athlete who has a big arm,” said Goff, who coached at Division II Valdosta State in Georgia. “We are excited to have him join the program.

“He is a guy who really loves football and will give us more talent in our quarterback room. He is also a somebody who wants to be the guy.”

Goff said Kadum is expected to compete for playing time with redshirt sophomore Cade Bartlett and a pair of redshirt freshmen Dillon Simon and Devon Tott. Senior Walker Wood, who moved to wide receiver last fall, could also be in the mix.

Finding experience to replace three-year starter Cody Orgeron was a top priority of Goff’s heading into the offseason. Orgeron took every meaningful snap during the 18 games of the spring and fall seasons in 2021.

Goff filled another trouble spot by getting a commitment from kicker C.J. Moya from Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. The Cowboys were dreadful in the kicking game last year, connecting on 5 of 11 field goal attempts with a long of 32 yards and six missed point-after kicks.

Moya made the announcement on social media earlier in the week.

Moya played two years at Hutchinson, hitting on 8 of 13 field goal tries, including a long of 39 yards. He was 85 of 88 on PATs.

Goff is also bringing with him from Valdosta State a young offensive lineman, 6-3, 297-pound sophomore Richard LeClair.

LeClair was a starter on the Blazers line, helping VSU to the D-II national title game.

“He is big and strong and has very good feet,” Goff said of LeClair. “He is going to add some depth on that line. He also knows our offense and what we want to do.”

Goff added that he hopes to sign a few more players before the weekend is done, including a pair of safeties.

“You never know with this portal thing until they actually sign,” he said.

He also has one more spot on his coaching staff to fill but said he likely won’t fill that spot until after national signing day in February.