APPLETON, Wis. -- The Lawrence University football team welcomes 25 newcomers when it opens fall practice later this month, Vikings head coach Chris Howard announced Friday.
The group of 25 players represent a wide variety of positions on the field but is dominated by 10 linemen.
"This year's freshman class represents a huge talent increase for our program," Howard said. "It has quality individuals at almost every position. There are 10 linemen coming in, which is the most we have ever had coming in at one time, and they are large, physical types of players. As in every year I have been here, there will be a significant number of freshmen on the field this season. Their ability to to have a fast learning curve will go long way in determining our success this season."
The incoming class also represents a wide geographical footprint. Two newcomers, Appleton East High School's Kyle Gerstner and Appleton West's Cody Robel, will make the short move across town and continues the tradition of Appleton players coming to Lawrence. Some of Lawrence's all-time football greats, Claude Radtke, Chuck McKee, and Scott Reppert, to name a few, were Appleton natives.
The rest of Wisconsin also is well represented, with 15 players coming from the state, including all-state selection Nate Nelson of Waupaca. Howard and his staff are bringing in players from across the state, from Madison to the northwoods to the Milwaukee area to Door County.
Illinois has the second-highest representation with four incoming players, and other newcomers are arriving from Minnesota, Washington, California, and Arizona.
Here's a brief look at the incoming players:
Sam Ausloos, Baileys Harbor, Wis., Gibralter High School, quarterback
Bryce Badure, Seatac, Wash., Academy of Citizenship and Empowerment, defensive lineman
Justin Barbour, Seal Beach, Calif., Sage Hill School, safety
Gus Bishop, Minneapolis, Minn., Southwest High School, defensive lineman
Alex Brewer, Rio, Wis., Rio High School, quarterback
Jordan Burke, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Sturgeon Bay High School, safety
William Elet, Peoria, Ariz., Centennial High School, safety
Kyle Gerstner, Appleton, Wis., East High School, offensive lineman
Conor Heneghan, Madison, Wis., West High School, tight end
Nick Hitch, Green Bay, Wis., East High School, kicker
Jon Hope, Eagle River, Wis., Northland Pines High School, running back
Zach Kulig, Grayslake, Ill., Carmel Catholic High School, defensive end
Matt Larsen, Rockton, Ill., Hononegah Community High School, linebacker/safety
Larry Mikrut, Park Forest, Ill., Rich East High School, quarterback
Nate Nelson, Waupaca, Wis., Waupaca High School, wide receiver/punter
Chris McDonald, Chicago, Ill., Michele Clark High School, running back
John Oestreich, Lake Mills, Wis., Lake Mills High School, defensive lineman
Brandon Olson, Holmen, Wis., Holmen High School, wide receiver
Ben Rabenn, Eagle River, Wis., Northland Pines High School, offensive lineman
Nick Randall, Chino Valley, Ariz., Prescott High School, defensive end
Cody Robel, Appleton, Wis., West High School, kicker
Chris Schmidt, Menomonee Falls, Wis., Menomonee Falls High School, offensive lineman
Alex Schmitt, Reedsburg, Wis., Reedsburg High School, defensive end
Robert Schumacher, Madison, Wis., West High School, wide receiver/defensive back
Chris White, Waukegan, Ill., Waukegan High School, center
The Vikings report to camp on Aug. 22 and Lawrence begins play when it hosts defending Midwest Conference champion Monmouth College on Sept. 12 in the Banta Bowl. Kickoff for the season opener is set for 1:00 p.m.