Notes from spring practice

UC sent the information for Ben Mauk's latest appeal to the NCAA on Tuesday and Brian Kelly said the school hopes to get an answer later this week. Meanwhile, Mauk continues to work out during spring drills.

"He’s not taking any competitive reps but he's out here staying involved beccause if he doesn’t play he's going to be probably coaching," Kelly said. "He gives us another arm and he gives us a little bit of coaching out there. The young kids always migrate to him and he's able to point some things out. It's like having another coach on the field, so it really strenghtens our hand."

As he has said all along, Kelly is not expecting to get Mauk back, but is more than willing to let the process play itself out.

"We've moved past that," he said. "If something happens positive, then we’ll react to it."

Terrill Byrd, who was suspensed for the season opener after he was cited for smoking marijuana, has also been suspended for the first week of spring practice.

"It's a seven-day suspension away from the team," Kelly said. "He'll be back next Sunday and he'll be with the team in weight training on Monday."

Connor Barwin says he was shocked when Kelly first suggested to him two weeks ago that he switch from tight end to defensive end, but he quickly bought in after Kelly explained the rationale behind the move.

"I think I can help the team over there more than I can help the team offensively," Barwin said. "And I think I’ll be an effective player over there. I think I’ll be a good defensive end."

Barwin said it didn't take long for Kelly to get him to believe this would be good for him, but he conceded that Kelly has a knack for talking people into almost anything.

"I had to think I know who this is telling me this," Barwin said.