Fans coming out to watch the Kentucky football team in spring practice have to check their rosters when observing the Wildcat defensive backs.

Graduated are All-Southeastern Conference safety Muhammad Abdullah and career pass breakup leader Antoine Huffman at cornerback. Roger Williams, a returning starter at strong safety, is out of action with a hamstring strain. The other returning regular, cornerback Bo Smith, is sitting out the spring to concentrate on his studies. Marcus McClinton, who began the 2005 season as the starting free safety, is participating only in non-contact drills while he rehabilitates an injured knee.

That leaves defensive backs coach Steve Brown working with a lot of fresh faces this spring.

?This is a good chance to get guys some experience,? Brown said following Monday morning?s practice. ?It?s an opportunity to find out who knows what they?re doing. The first thing I look for is assignments. If a player can?t get his assignment, it doesn?t matter how much ability he has.?

The starting backfield Monday morning included senior Karl Booker and redshirt freshman Trevard Lindley at cornerback, with junior Dallas Greer and redshirt freshman Michael Schwindel at the safety spots. Booker came into the spring as a free safety, but also has seen action at the corner.

?Karl can mentally handle both assignments (free safety and cornerback),? Brown said. ?It?s a luxury to have someone like Karl Booker around who has that versatility.?

Lindley looked a bit spindly when he reported to the Wildcat camp in Jan. 2005. But a year in the weight room has him much more developed physically and he has received frequent commendation from the coaches in the early days of the spring.

?Trevard has a bright future,? Brown said. ?We tell Trevard and all of our DBs that they are preparing to be great. They should take ownership of every day, every practice, every play.?

The most intriguing part of the spring among the defensive backs has been the use of freshman Maurice Grinter at strong safety ? that?s 6-3, 253-pound strong safety Maurice Grinter.

?Maurice is a very, very gifted athlete,? Brown said. ?He?s doing well and he?s also a sharp young man, so he?s picking it up (assignments) pretty well.?

Monday Morning Practice: Kentucky practiced for two and one-half hours in full pads Monday morning. The final 10 minutes featured full contact with tackling. The Wildcats return to practice Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Nutter Training Facility.

Kentucky Football Calendar: Practices at Nutter Training Facility except when indicated otherwise. Practices are open to public and media.

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