The University of Kentucky football team opened spring practice Wednesday morning and received a pleasant surprise in the form of a newcomer who is considering a new sport.

Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks announced that Ravi Moss, who recently finished his UK basketball career, has agreed to try out over the next few practices as a wide receiver.

?We really wanted him (Moss) to come out for this team,? Brooks said. ?We have been in contact for some time, talking to Ravi about the possibility of him trying out for football. We are looking at giving him a week to decide if this is something he wants to do.?

?I hope he decides to stay with us,? Brooks said. ?He is a great athlete. He has the size and athletic ability that we look for. He?s an extremely dedicated athlete and is smart enough to pick up the things on the field that we would want him to do.?

The 6-2, 190-pound Moss recently saw his four-year basketball career end on March 19 against Connecticut in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The guard from Hopkinsville, Ky., appeared in all 35 games as a senior, starting 12, and averaged 5.7 points a game in almost 20 minutes of action.

Moss is very familiar with UK football. Ravi?s brother, Austin, is a redshirt freshman defensive lineman on the team. If Ravi decides to stick with football, he has one season of eligibility remaining.

?Coach Phillips (UK offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Joker Phillips) called and asked me to come out and see what happens, see how I do and how I like it,? Moss said.

Moss, who has only one year of football experience ? in sixth grade ? showed potential during his first practice with the Wildcats. He made some catches in the 7-on-7 passing drill, including one bomb for a long gain. He was able to participate in the first hour of Wednesday?s practice before departing for a class commitment. As one would expect, the first practice was an adjustment.

?It?s definitely tough. It?s different,? Moss said. ?I?m really behind on a lot of stuff. I?m taking it one day at a time right now.?

Kentucky can use the help at wide receiver. Three of the top four wideouts from last year, Tommy Cook, Glenn Holt, and Scott Mitchell, have graduated. In addition, leading returnees Keenan Burton and DeMoreo Ford are currently sidelined because of injury. While some may think it a risk to bring on board an athlete who hasn?t played football since the sixth grade, Phillips believes Moss has all the necessary talents to help the Wildcats? receiving corps.

?Ravi has a big body,? Phillips said. ?He is a very hard worker and has great hand-eye coordination. He is also very conscientious of what he is doing on the field.?

Kentucky?s first practice covered two hours, 15 minutes in helmets, jerseys, and shorts. The team returns to the Nutter Training Facility practice field on Friday.

Kentucky Football Calendar: Practices at Nutter Training Facility except when indicated otherwise.

Fri. Mar. 31 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 1 – Practice, 10 ? noon, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 3 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 5 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 7 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 8 – Practice, 10 ? noon, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 10 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 12 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 14 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 15 – Practice, 10 ?noon, Commonwealth Stadium
Mon. Apr. 17 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Wed. Apr. 19 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Fri. Apr. 21 – Practice, 9 ? 11:15 a.m.
Sat. Apr. 22 – Blue/White Spring Game, 1 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium