Can't hurt our chances...
Eligibility in jeopardy for two Tech receivers
08:31 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News
The eligibility of Texas Tech receivers Jarrett Hicks and Michael Crabtree is in jeopardy for the upcoming season, pending appeals to the NCAA.
Athletic department spokesman Chris Cook said the players' eligibility problems are separate issues and do not involve NCAA violations.
Cook said he could not get into specifics but said that in both cases, an initial waiver request was denied by the NCAA and an appeal has been made.
Texas Tech opens the season Saturday against SMU. Cook said the players' status for the game has not been determined.
Coach Mike Leach had not returned phone messages, as of Wednesday evening.
Hicks, a senior from Houston, is an All-America candidate who holds school records for touchdown receptions in a career (28) and in a season (13 in 2004).
He caught 76 passes for 1,777 yards as a sophomore. Last season, he caught 65 passes for 850 yards and 10 touchdowns despite sitting out the opener because of an undisclosed disciplinary action.
Hicks missed a number of preseason practices this month because of an undisclosed injury but returned to practice Tuesday.
Crabtree is a freshman from Carter High School who had impressed coaches in preseason workouts. He was listed as a backup on the most recent depth chart issued by Tech.
