Storrs — One thing jumps out like a flashing neon sign at midnight when examining the first UConn football depth chart of the 2018 season.

Coach Randy Edsall is placing his faith in his freshmen.

Not that he has a lot of choice given the abundance of youth on the UConn roster.

Twenty first-year players — true and redshirt freshmen — are listed on the two deep for the season opener against No. 21 Central Florida on Thursday (7 p.m., ESPNU) at Rentschler Field in East Hartford.

Eleven freshmen reside on defense, six on offense and three on special teams.

"I think it's a unique situation," Edsall said during Sunday's press conference. "I don't know if I've ever had this many freshmen that are in the mix to play. You hope, within your program, that that doesn't happen when they have to play because of necessity because of where you are because with your depth and everything else. They should have to play because they're ready to play."

Edsall will take advantage of a new rule this season that allows freshmen to play up to four games and still be eligible to redshirt. So a lot of newcomers will be thrown into the fire.

The season-opening depth chart is just a starting point for Edsall.

"To me, it doesn't really matter," Edsall said. "There's guys that are listed as starters but there's going to be other guys that play. Those kids are all going to be a work in progress. They're not even close to being a finished product. But they bring a skill set and they've shown things that they can do.

"We're not in a position, from a program standpoint, to have them redshirt. There's some positions where we're going to have to play freshmen."

Last year at this time, players like Travis Jones, Kevon Jones, Keyshawn Paul and Christian Haynes — all expected to make their collegiate debuts on Thursday — were preparing for their senior year in high school.

Nose tackle Travis Jones, checking in at a large 6-foot-4, 350 pounds, was a dominant all-state player at Wilbur Cross. Linebacker Kevon Jones, another all-state pick, made a name for himself at East Hartford.

Paul, a cornerback, had an impressive high school athletic resume at Miami Jackson High School.  Haynes, who's from Bowie, Md., had a strong preseason camp and moved into the starting offensive guard spot ahead of Brian Cespedes of New London.

Defensive ends Jonathan Pace and Lwal Uguak are other true freshmen that could crack the starting lineup.

In perhaps the most surprising development, redshirt freshman Ian Swenson claimed the starting spot over veteran Marshe Terry, a redshirt junior and second leading returning tackler.

Redshirt freshman Zavier Scott, who played two years of high school football in Germany, will see his first action after sitting out last season. He's listed as the starting running back.

While unproven newcomers are everywhere, grizzly veterans are in short supply. The Huskies rank first in the country with fewest fifth year players at two.

Redshirt junior Matt Peart has been impressed with his younger teammates.

"It's a testament that they buy into the culture and know what we're trying to do here, and they want to be a part of that," Peart said. "Love it. It's great to see their effort and enthusiasm on the field every day. I really see them all as my brothers."

Only a sophomore, safety Omar Fortt feels like a veteran. He played in 12 games last season.

It wasn't long ago that Fortt was the untested newcomer, so he can offer his teammates some sound advice.

"I was basically in their shoes last year, so I know how they feel," Fortt said. "I'm just trying to be that right hand man, that big brother to them where they know they can just rely on me. ... I want them not to worry about things and don't play scared because that's when you make mistakes. As long as you go 100 percent, that's all the coaches ask."

Of course, nothing is set in stone at this early stage as far as playing time.

The opener should give Edsall a revealing look at his team. It will be interesting to see how the newcomers will react to their first collegiate game playing a nationally-ranked opponent.

The UConn coaching staff is keeping things fairly basic for the newcomers in hopes that they'll be able to focus on playing fast and physical.

Edsall will be watching his freshmen closely during practice in the days leading up to Thursday.

"We, as coaches, are going to have to make sure that we try to massage some of these freshmen the best we can up till Thursday," Edsall said. "That thing is getting a little tight now. All of sudden, you're this many days away. ... Oh man, we're going to play on Thursday night.

"... All these young kids are just going to continue to get better. If they just do the things that we ask them to do, then we'll continue to see improvement in them as the season goes on."

g.keefe@theday.com