The Howard Payne University football program looks to continue their forward momentum with 154 players reporting for fall workouts.

Second year head coach Roger Geise and his staff have brought in one of the largest recruitment classes in recent years with 154 total players reporting for workouts.

For the first couple of days, the Howard Payne coaching staff is working out the returners in the morning and the newcomers in the afternoon to allow for more instruction for the incoming players.

“For our returners, I felt like our retention from the spring till now was very good,” said head coach Roger Geise. “Both groups could be in better shape coming in but overall it has been a solid opening practice.”

Of the 154 reporting 48 are returners from last season. Among the 106 newcomers are six transfers and 100 freshmen.

“Freshman, there’s some pretty good players in that group. Most have been coached much similar to the way that we are going to do it and that helps out a bunch” added Coach Geise.

The Yellow Jackets finished the 2012 season at 1-9 overall and 1-6 in conference action. HPU will open the 2013 season at home on September 7th versus Trinity University at 6:00 pm.

The next two weeks will see a road game at Southwestern Assemblies of God and then a home game versus NCAA D-II Wayland Baptist. The Jackets will have an open week after that before opening conference play versus Louisiana College (Homecoming) on October 5th at home.

Pictured above, Head Coach Roger Geise wrapping up first practice.  Below is another photo of the practice.  Photos courtesy HPU Sports Information.