Roy Lang III

rflang@gannett.com

The Dallas Cowboys weren’t trying to keep a secret -- for the past four months, they’ve been interested in Dak Prescott.

They are only 22 years behind.

Saturday afternoon, Prescott, a lifelong Cowboys fan raised in Louisiana, was hunkered down with a herd of family and friends at a camp on Toledo Bend when his phone rang.

“You’re a Dallas Cowboy,” said team owner Jerry Jones.

With those four words, Jones not only helped a dream come true for the former Haughton and Mississippi State quarterback, he delivered THE dream of a lifetime.

“America’s Team; I couldn’t be more excited,” Prescott said after he was selected in the fourth round (135th overall). “It was just something I dreamed about. I ran around the house acting like I was a Cowboys quarterback my whole life, so for it all to come true it’s such a blessing.”

Watch Dak Prescott take the call from Dallas Cowboys

Screams of excitement transformed into tears of joy as the crowd gathered in the cabin realized Prescott was on the line with the Cowboys. Meanwhile, at Valley Ranch, the team’s headquarters, members of the Dallas organization shared high-fives, fist bumps and hugs.

“It’s a great day for you, but it’s a great day for us, too,” Garrett told his newest quarterback.

“Sometimes people belong together, you know what I mean?” Cowboys offensive coordinator Scott Linehan told Prescott.

The Cowboys hadn’t drafted a quarterback since choosing former Texas A&M star Stephen McGee in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL Draft, but appeared serious about finding a capable backup to oft-injured 36-year-old Tony Romo. Dallas made its interest in Prescott clear early in the process and many tabbed the 6-foot-2, 226-pounder as a mid-round selection.

“I met with them a good bit,” said Prescott, who was introduced to Cowboys officials at the Senior Bowl (January). The parties met again at the NFL Combine (February) before the Cowboys traveled to Starkville, Mississippi, for a workout and some lunch before the team ultimately flew Prescott to Dallas prior to the draft.

“I don’t know if it could have been any better,” said Rodney Guin, a “father figure” to Prescott and his head coach at Haughton. “(The draft party) was fun -- kind of stressful, but it worked out perfectly.”

Gil Brandt, an NFL analyst and former vice president of player personnel for the Cowboys, says there have been a lot of comparisons to Tim Tebow, but he feels Prescott is “a better prospect” out of college.

“He has chance to eventually replace Romo,” Brandt added.

The Cowboys now have four quarterbacks on the roster: Romo, Prescott, fourth-year Boise State product Kellen Moore and rookie Jameill Showers from UTEP.

The Cowboys will host a rookie mini-camp at Valley Ranch beginning Friday.

“You’ll be throwing footballs," Dallas head coach Jason Garrett said. “You better be ready.”

Prescott should get paid handsomely for his work in the Metroplex. The projected value of a four-year contract for a fourth-round pick is more than $2.5 million.

It would be tough to find an organization in the NFL more welcoming to quarterbacks. In addition to his quarterbacks coach, Wade Wilson, Prescott’s head coach and offensive coordinator played under center.

“They’ll really be able to give you some great coaching,” Jones told Prescott.

A three-year starter in Starkville, Prescott was one of four players in FBS history to throw 70 touchdown passes and run for 40 touchdowns in his career. He led the Bulldogs to No. 1 in the polls in 2014.

Despite the success, Prescott’s main focus remains getting comfortable working under center – something he wasn’t asked to do at Haughton or Mississippi State.

“I’m going to do whatever coaches ask me to do,” Prescott said. “It’s about getting reps, getting comfortable. I’m going to outwork everyone.”

According to Guin, Prescott isn’t the only one who had a dream come true Saturday.

“We are very, very blessed,” said Guin, who religiously traveled to Starkville and the sites of several other Mississippi State games and stepped down at Haughton following the 2015 season. “We can drive three hours to watch him play and come home. It will be great for anyone who wants to watch him play.”

Guin’s advice to Prescott on Saturday?

“I told him to be himself,” he said. “If he does that, he’ll be fine.”

Jones offered his two cents, too.

“Come in ready to give it all,” he said. “You’re at a time in your life when the No. 1 thing in your mind should be to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.”

Said Prescott: “Yes sir. That is it.”

Twitter: @RoyLangIII