LEXINGTON, Ky. ? The Kentucky football team had its first practice in pads Saturday afternoon at the Nutter Training Center. Coach Rich Brooks was pleased with what we saw, although his enthusiasm was tempered by a pair of injuries.
“Overall, I was pleased,” Brooks said. “I thought guys attacked pretty well. We had a lot of guys being aggressive. It wasn’t as crisp or as sharp as you’d like to have it ? it never is the first day in full gear ? but overall the effort was there and it looks like we have some guys who can make some plays.”
Brooks reported that second-team center Jake Lanefski sustained a broken bone in his snapping hand. Brooks said that Lanefski can practice with a cast, but probably would move to guard while the bone heals. Other offensive linemen, such as sophomore Marcus Davis and freshman Osaze Idumwonyi, will get a look at the backup center slot during Lanefski’s absence.
In addition, freshman wide receiver E.J. Fields incurred a hamstring strain and will be day-to-day.
Brooks noted that freshman Randall Cobb, who has been seeing action at quarterback and wide receiver, would see approximately 90 percent of his practice time at QB. The coach also gave an update on many of the team’s true freshmen.
“I will say this, right now at the receiver position, Matt Roark is doing very, very well,” Brooks said. “E.J. Fields was doing very well and we just hope that he’s not down very long. (Gene) McCaskill is doing really well and (Eric) Adeyemi is doing well. We look to get some production out of those guys as we move forward.
“Chandler Burden, on the defensive line, is very impressive at this point,” Brooks continued. “We just need to get him understanding more about what he’s doing. Physically, he’s a force out there. I feel very good about Cartier Rice at corner. He’s going to see some action for us this year. We have some other freshmen ? (Danny) Trevathan is in the mix (at middle linebacker) ? and just need to ascertain in the next week or so how many of those guys are going to be major factors for us early. Winston Guy has some learning to take place (at safety), but physically he’s been impressive.”
The Wildcats will meet the public Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium with Fan Day activities, then return to the practice field on Sunday.
