Meet the new players

Wednesday marked the earlier of two national football signing days, the start of a period when high school players can officially commit to college programs.

Here are the 20 prospects who have signed letters of intent to attend UConn, along with some insight from Huskies coach Randy Edsall: Marques Alexander

Position: Defensive line From: St. Petersburg, Fla. Measurables: 6 feet 2, 211 pounds

Outlook: Alexander, who played both defensive end and tight end in high school, was UConn’s first publicly announced commit of this cycle, choosing the Huskies over Georgia Tech and Southern Mississippi in June. Jonathan Sénécal

Position: Quarterback From: Montreal

Measurables: 6-0, 189 Outlook: Another year, another Canadian quarterback. Sénécal, who generated big stats and impressive highlights at the CEGEP level north of the border arrives a year after fellow Canadian Jack Zergiotis staked his claim to UConn’s starting job.

Edsall’s take: “Good player. He can run, he can throw. He’s everything that we’re looking for in a quarterback.” Brian Brewton

Position: Running back From: Miramar, Fla.

Measurables: 5-7, 165 Outlook: Brewton had not announced his commitment publicly prior to signing day. With UConn’s lack of depth at running back behind

Kevin Mensah, the small, speedy Floridian could get a chance early.

Edsall’s take: “Brian is a multiposition athlete that’s got speed and quickness. As a running back he can do things, as a wide receiver you can split him out. He’s a really good return guy. He reminds me of a Larry Taylor type guy.” Darius Bush Position: Receiver From: Savannah, Ga. Measurables: 5-11, 179 Outbook: Bush, who also hadn’t revealed his commitment before Tuesday, also had offers from Navy, Akron, Central Michigan, Charlotte and others. Nate Carter

Position: Running back From: Rochester, N.Y.

Measurables: 5-9, 186 Outlook: Carter, who chose UConn over Army, Albany and Maine, among others, has a similar body type to that of Mensah. He’ll likely compete for playing time right away. Reyan Blake

Position: Defensive back From: Loxahatchee, Florida Measurables: 6-0, 203 Outlook: Blake, one of two defensive backs in UConn’s class, committed to the Huskies in June over Fordham, Holy Cross and Southern Mississippi.

Edsall’s take: “Reyan is a guy who’s very, very physical. He’s playing both sides of the ball, and he’s very athletic.” Zachary Early

Position: Offensive line From: Painsville, Ohio

Measurables: 6-3, 300 Outlook: Early had previously been committed to Kent State and Cincinnati (reportedly as a preferred walk-on) before choosing UConn on Signing Day. At 300 pounds, he already possesses college lineman size. Quay Evans

Position: Defensive line From: Chester, S.C.

Measurables: 6-2, 268 Outlook: Evans, who had offers from Maryland and North Carolina, is UConn’s top-ranked recruit according to 247Sports. He could compete for playing time quickly. Desmond Fogle

Position: Linebacker From: Kingsland, Ga.

Measurables: 6-1, 205 Outlook: UConn has spent several seasons searching for answers at linebacker, and given Fogle’s size and strength, the Jacksonville native could be one of them. He committed to the Huskies earlier this month. Chris Fortin

Position: Offensive line From: Beauceville, Quebec Measurables: 6-4, 273

Outlook: One of two Canadians in UConn’s class, Fortin committed to the Huskies in July, while playing at the post-secondary CEGEP level. He’ll bolster the Huskies’ O-line depth. Nick Harris

Position: Defensive line

From: Marriottsville, Md.

Measurables: 6-5, 211

Outlook: Harris committed to UConn in June, choosing the Huskies over Temple, Maine and Monmouth. He played both offense and defense in high school but will settle in on the defensive line in college. Brendan Heatherman

Position: Tight end From: Stafford, Va.

Measurables: 6-4, 254 Outlook: Heatherman, who played both tight end and defensive end in high school, tore his ACL in May but has recovered enough that he’s one of 10 commits with plans to enroll at UConn next month. He chose the Huskies over Penn, Army and others. Carter Hooper

Position: Defensive end From: Carlisle, Ontario

Measurables: 6-5, 230 Outlook: Hooper, who had offers from Florida International, UMass and others, will help fortify a defensive line that has lacked depth in recent years. He comes to UConn from football powerhouse IMG Academy. Keelan Marion

Position: Wide receiver From: Atlanta

Measurables: 6-0, 180 Outlook: Marion, one of two receivers in UConn’s class, chose the Huskies over Houston, UAB and others. He has described himself as “a big, physical wideout.” Collin McCarthy

Position: Defensive line From: Jackson, N.J.

Measurables: 6-5, 240 Outlook: After dominating his conference this season, McCarthy was named New Jersey defensive player of the year. He’ll bring size to UConn’s edge rush, as the tallest player on the team’s D-line.

Edsall’s take: “His dad played here, and the kid loved it here. Loves to hunt and fish and knows he can do that here when he has time. … That kid, you just love his aggressiveness. And he never wavered at all [in choosing UConn].” Brandon Niemenski

Position: Tight end From: Mountain Top, Pa. Measurables: 6-5, 215

Outlook: After playing tight end and linebacker in high school, Niemenski will suit up on offense for UConn. He held offers from Bowling

Green, Albany, Fordham, Yale and others before committing to the Huskies. Robby Rochester Position: Offensive line From: Southlake, Texas Measurables: 6-5, 255 Outlook: Rochester committed to UConn in late November, just before a mini offensive-line exodus. He will help bolster the Huskies at that position. Alfred Chea

Position: Defensive back From: Jacksonville, Fla.

Measurables: 6-0, 193

Outlook: Chea becomes the second player from Jacksonville in as many years to commit to UConn. He picked UConn over Bowling Green, Florida Atlantic and several other schools.

Edsall’s take: “Alfred, he gets bigger every time I see him, just growing. I had a chance to watch him play this fall when we went down to UCF. He’s got good range, he’s got good ball skills, he’s tough. He’s getting stronger. Coming in midyear is going to help him.” Sidney Walker Position: Offensive line From: Kilgore Community College Measurables: 6-2, 273 Outlook: Walker, a junior college transfer, might be the member of the 2020 class most likely to play immediately given his experience at center and UConn’s lack of options there following several transfers. Edsall’s take: “He’s a guy that, sitting down and talking to him was very impressive. He’s a leader, he’s a guy that isn’t just gonna tell people what they want to hear. He understands being a center. … He’s a worker. He’s a competitor. He’s gonna come in here, and he’s gonna be one of our leaders.” Alexander Wyant

Position: Offensive line From: Orange Coast College

Measurables: 6-5, 310

Outlook: After transferring from junior college, Wyant could compete quickly for a role on a UConn offensive line that has lost three starters and two key reserves.

Edsall’s take: “Alex is a big man, who is broad, who’s physical, who’s overcome some injuries. And again, he’s one of those guys that’s very, very impressive about what he wants to do with his opportunity here at UConn.”