The past several years have been a similar story for McNeese State football. The Cowboys are always near the top of the Southland Conference, but never at the summit.

The teams who have reigned supreme every year since 2011 share a common link — a Football Bowl Subdivision transfer who blossoms into a Football Championship Subdivision superstar.

Running back Tim Flanders played that role for Sam Houston State in 2011 and ‘12, coming from Kansas State to lead the Bearkats to consecutive national championship games. Last year quarterback Bryan Bennett had a similar effect on Southeastern Louisiana, transfering from Oregon and leading the Lions to their first conference title since 1961.

This year, McNeese has brought in a handful of FBS imports with the potential to have a similar impact — whether it is collectively or individually.

“I certainly hope (they have a major impact),” said McNeese coach Matt Viator. “It’s FCS. That’s how it is. You certainly do your homework — everyone points to Flanders and Bennett, but how about (other transfers) that aren’t any good? Hopefully you hit on at least a few of the right ones. Flanders and Bennett aren’t always the norm.”

Quarterback Daniel Sams (Kansas State) and running backs Nate Holmes (Arkansas) and Derrick Milton (Mississippi State) all have big-school pedigrees that will be on display this fall. Even though none of the three has officially been tabbed a starter yet, each figures to get serious playing time.

What’s more, their arrival has brought out the best in the players with whom they are competing. Quarterbacks Tyler Bolfing, Will Briscoe and Grant Ashcraft as well as running back Kelvin Bennett have appeared to make significant improvement this August from where they were in spring practice.

“I don’t know what those (transfers) will end up doing,” Viator said. “But I’ll tell you one thing. It’s made the rest of them better. Kelvin Bennett has hooked it up each and every practice. Daniel Sams has made Briscoe and Bolfing come out a lot better.

“It makes the whole deal a lot more competitive and better rather than just, ‘Hey, here’s your job.’”

Another FBS transfer — in name, anyway — has won at least one starting job. Kicker Alex Kjellsten, a St. Louis graduate who walked on at LSU but never played, earned the kicking job.

Cornerback Jermaine Antoine and tight end Deondre Skinner may also be factors this year and in those to come — both are classified as freshman after signing with FBS schools but never suiting up for a game.

And though he comes from the junior college ranks, no one has drawn more rave reviews from coaches and teammates in camp than junior defensive end Brian Hine.

Transfers won’t be the only impact newcomers on the squad.

The Cowboys have experience at several spots on the field — the starting offensive and defensive lines, receivers and linebackers are all veteran-laden positions. But freshmen are expected to contribute off the bench in all of those spots.

True freshman linebackers Ashari Goins and Christian Jacobs are favorites to make the travel roster, while redshirt freshman wideout Kent Shelby is an obvious impact player.

Another true freshman, Dominque Hill, has had a lock on a starting safety spot since enrolling last spring.

Whether they are transfers or freshmen, Viator thinks this year may end up being the biggest impact newcomers will have on a McNeese team in his nine-year tenure.

“I don’t consider Brian Hine or Nate Holmes ‘new’ because they’ve been here since January,” Viator said. “But if you count those guys, this probably is the most (impact we’ve ever anticipated from newcomers).”

The upside for the Cowboys is they won’t be completely reliant on newcomers. Those who didn’t suit up for McNeese in 2013 are joining the nucleus of a team that won 10 games and reached the FCS playoffs.

“We don’t have many seniors this year,” Viator said. “But we don’t have a young football team by any stretch. We have some juniors.”

Could that combination of experience and fresh talent be what finally gets McNeese over the hump come November?

That’s no certainty. But as McNeese’s rivals have demonstrated, it appears to be the right model for success.(Rick Hickman/American Press)