Heavy rain forced the Kentucky football team into the Nutter Field House on the first day of spring practice, but the wet weather didn’t dampen the Wildcats’ spirits.

“I was very pleased with the energy I saw today,” Coach Rich Brooks said following the two-hour, 15-minute workout in helmets, jerseys, and shorts.

“I saw a lot of good things from an athletic standpoint. I’m pleased with our speed on defense and our ability to close,” continued Brooks, who had noted during Monday’s news conference that approximately 15 Wildcats had run 4.5 seconds or better in the 40-yard dash, which represented continued improvement in team speed.

Brooks noted that he liked what he saw out of junior-college offensive linemen Jess Beets and Josh Winchell, who had their first practices as Wildcats. Brooks said that Winchell was able to do more than expected after having off-season shoulder surgery.