CHICAGO -- Rutgers sold early playing time to its 2017 recruits and now it's time to pay up.

There's just one caveat: The true freshmen still have to earn reps on the practice field when training camp begins this weekend.

Four of the 26 true freshmen signed -- offensive linemen Micah Clark, Jamaal Beaty and Sam Vretman, and defensive lineman Brendan Bordner -- enrolled in January, while the rest minus future prep school enrollee Eddie Lewis came on board at various times in May and June.

By now, coach Chris Ash has had a chance to formulate a rough first impression over the NCAA-regulated two hours per week of on-field time without footballs plus film and weight room time allowed between coaches and players.

"I'm really pleased with the freshmen class we brought in," Ash said. "I can't tell you a number of how many will make an impact this year or even play. But there will be a significant number of them in some role. How many will start or (who makes the) two-deep, I don't know."

Ash won't hesitate to use a player's year of eligibility on special teams.

In 2012, under coach Kyle Flood, Rutgers played then-true freshman Leonte Carroo -- who wound up setting the school record with 29 career touchdown catches over the next three years -- almost exclusively on special teams.

But that senior-laden team started 7-0, climbed as high as No. 15 in the national rankings and finished as Big East co-champions.

The 2017 team is looking to plug holes off a 2-10 season and is asking the freshmen to challenge veterans for the sake of competition that makes the cream rise to the top.

"We have no choice," Ash said of passing on redshirts for special teams usage. "We have to improve our kicking game. The snappers, the kickers, the punters, and it's the cover guys.

"We can't go out there with cover guys that can't make tackles and can't get off blocks. We can't do that. If I guy can add value and help us improve our kicking game, then we're going to use him. They were all recruited with that in mind."

Ironically, the positions that usually produce special teams coverage tacklers -- wide receiver, linebacker and defensive back -- are the same spots where Rutgers is lacking second-team depth. So special teams could be a gateway to a bigger role for those who succeed.

"I think we're a different team in terms of our talent, but we're a different team in terms of our investment and our commitment,'' Ash said. "We're a very close team.

"I just think it's a completely different team. Each year is different. Obviously we went through our challenges last year, but that year doesn't determine this next season. We're a different team. We're a different staff. We have a different energy in our program right now."

Ryan Dunleavy may be reached at rdunleavy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @rydunleavy. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.