The cacophony of shoulder-on-chest collisions, face plants and tussles can only mean one thing: Full-contact practice is underway.

This past Saturday marked the first time this year the football team practiced in pads. All the shoving and extracurricular skirmishes are just part of the building process to become a unified team. It shows passion and effort.

And it's something that the UW coaching staff likes to see.

"I liked our intensity, our focus," defensive coordinator Mike Hankwitz said. "The first couple days in shorts, you can do a lot mentally, but you don't know where you're at from a technique standpoint because it's hard for the lineman to simulate. You can't do it the same way without pads, so the first day, you really want to focus on fundamentals, and I thought we got off to a good start."

As is typical around this time of year, the defense starts off holding the advantage over the offense. Quarterbacks work to get their timing down with receivers and with all the different players at both of those positions getting reps during the spring, it makes it harder to find the continuity the defense has.

Still, the offense finds success. Transfer Allan Evridge looked strong Saturday, floating passes over the defense, checking down, finding the open receiver and throwing passes on the line for the most part. Even with Evridge's Saturday success, it's early, and the starting quarterback spot is up in the air. Neither Donovan nor Evridge is really a step ahead of the curve.

"The focus right now is getting better as individuals, and then as that comes, I think then you get an accurate evaluation of their play," offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said. "Right now, it's too early."

Much like the quarterback position and across the entire field, many positions are anyone's for the taking. Although Aubrey Pleasant and Shane Carter are working with the first-team defense at safety now, by the end of spring, it very well could be someone else.

"The scrimmage is going to be a great evaluator," defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks said. "I like the way Jay Valai moves, the way he comes up and tackles. I like Kim Royston's range back there at free safety.

"The more scrimmages and practices they get under their belt, you're going to see a lot more competition."

Of the competing candidates, Valai and Royston are big-time hitters.

"Valai has probably got the most aggressive personality out of that whole defensive back group, so I'm really looking forward to him getting confident in what's going on," Cooks said. "He's going to hit you and get you and keep hitting you and keep hitting you. Royston is more reserved, but he's sneaky aggressive. … They all bring that attitude that we like — aggressive play."

Having fallen off the depth charts on the defensive line and at linebacker, Travis Beckum and Andy Crooks were given the opportunity to play at the tight end position. It turned out to be a great fit for both of them. This year former running back Jamil Walker and wideout Niles Brinkley have switched sides of the ball as well, moving to the defensive line and cornerback, respectively.

Head coach Bret Bielema believes in flexibility and sees Brinkley, who possesses electrifying speed, complementing a deep corner position.

"We're giving him an opportunity, I think, mandated, but I really believe that he has the ability to help us and possibly sooner at a secondary position than with the wide receivers," Bielema said. "We presented it with him at the beginning of spring ball, and he had to switch [last Saturday], and I think it's going to be a good opportunity for him."

Practice Notes

Running back Lance Smith rolled his ankle during the 11-on-11 drill. Trainers worked on it for a while, and Smith did some jogging before opting to sit out the remainder of practice. … Tight end Sean Lewis and defensive lineman Justin Ostrowski did not participate in practice. Ostrowski's status with the team remains in doubt. Bielema said he would specify more Monday. … As part of recruiting week, many juniors in high school from around the country showed up to practice Saturday, including Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith's son, Miles. Smith was there with him. … Former UW left tackle Joe Thomas was also in attendance.