It isn’t exactly shocking to read this.

The Panthers are among the youngest teams in the Big East, if not the nation, with seven freshmen and four redshirt freshmen among the top players on their depth chart.

Redshirt freshman Oderick Turner will start at split end. Another redshirt freshman, Doug Fulmer, is the starting right defensive end.

Wannstedt had to play many first-year players last year, meaning there are several sophomore starters this year — tailback LaRod Stephens-Howling, fullback Conredge Collins, nose tackle Gus Mustakas, defensive tackle Rashaad Duncan and weak-side linebacker Tommy Campbell.

Haven’t seen the latest depth chart yet. Apparently some have.

Wannstedt had maintained all along that the best player for each position, regardless of class, would win the job, and he came through on that promise. At least 11 members of the recruiting class will play Saturday against the Cavaliers and the number of newcomers who play could grow to as many as 14 by the end of the season.

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Although many of the newcomers are being counted on to play, they will be mostly be reserves. That doesn’t mean that many of them won’t get plenty of playing time or earn starting roles in the near future.

Only two newcomers, junior college transfer left tackle Jeff Otah and freshman defensive tackle John Malecki, likely will be in the starting lineup Saturday and a third, freshman tight end Nate Byham, could start depending on which formation the Panthers open up.

The other newcomers who will be in the rotation on offense are tailback Kevin Collier, tailback/receiver Dorin Dickerson and offensive guard Joe Thomas. The newcomers in the rotation on defense are tackle Jason Pinkston and cornerbacks Aaron Berry and Jovani Chappel. Linebacker Nate Nix and safety Elijah Fields will play mostly on special teams.

Three other newcomers — freshman kicker Dan Hutchins, freshman defensive end McKenzie Mathews and junior college transfer receiver/kick returner Lowell Robinson, also are likely to play this season.

I’m going to go with the conventional wisdom that Pitt will be relying heavily on the tight ends, at least to start the season to key the passing game.

Fifth-year senior Steve Buches and junior Darrell Strong return. Buches had 17 catches and two scores, while Strong added 16 and one. Those numbers should double, at least, with freshman Nate Byham also in the mix.

Byham is probably more than “in the mix.”

After an up-and-down training camp, Tyler Palko is in the difficult position as the Senior QB. Not to lead the team, but to have trust in the younger players.

“He’s got high expectations of himself,” Cavanaugh said. “There’s times when his mentality is, ‘I’ve got to be perfect.’ I try to tell him that’s not going to happen, just make sure the mistakes you make don’t kill us.”

Palko plays a position often scrutinized and requiring a short memory. His final training camp was something of a roller coaster ride, one that tested his patience and showed his resolve.

He played behind an improved offensive line that continued to be overwhelmed at times, handed off to backs that struggled to find running room and threw to young receivers that showed talent in flashes but were inconsistent.

As a result, Palko pressed early in camp. He held onto the ball too long, either taking sacks or throwing into coverage. His emotions showed in his body language, whether it was hanging his head or throwing the ball away in frustration after another play ended in a whistle.

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The problem, teammates say, wasn’t Palko.

“Tyler’s not one of the concerns,” redshirt junior right tackle Mike McGlynn said. “Tyler’s a fiery guy and he wears his emotions on his sleeve. He’s a leader. There’s not a guy on this team that works harder than him. When (Saturday) comes around, we’re not worried about him on the field.”

Added senior tight end Steve Buches, “I trust Tyler. I’m not worried about him. I think what’s going on is, we’re surrounded by young kids. A lot of these young guys don’t know what’s going on. They’re throwing a lot of guys in there, a lot of new faces who don’t know what’s going on. The veterans know what the deal is. With new guys, you have to explain the same thing over and over.”

Trusting the new kids after they make a mistake will probably be the toughest thing for Palko.