The eligibility of Texas Tech receivers Jarrett Hicks and Michael Crabtree is in jeopardy for the upcoming season, pending appeals to the NCAA.

Coach Mike Leach said both cases were "related to academics" and that he doubted either would be cleared to play in time for Saturday's opener against SMU.

Hicks, a senior from Houston, is a two-year starter with All-America candidate credentials. He holds school records for touchdown receptions in a career (28) and in a season (13 in 2004).

Crabtree is a freshman from Carter High School who impressed coaches in preseason workouts. He was listed as a backup on the most recent depth chart.

Athletic department spokesman Chris Cook said the players' eligibility problems were separate issues and did not involve NCAA violations. Cook said that an initial waiver request in Hicks' case was denied but is being appealed. Crabtree's case involves an NCAA initial eligibility clearinghouse decision, which is being appealed.

Leach said it's not unusual for an eligibility waiver to be denied before being approved on appeal. However, he did express frustration at the slow progress of the NCAA and its clearinghouse.

"It's the typical thing that happens every year. Usually, it's decided long before now," Leach said.

When asked why Hicks' and Crabtree's cases have taken longer, Leach said, "You're asking the wrong guy. I've been asking that question for a month."

Leach did not say whether he thinks either player will be cleared to play based on previous experience with eligibility issues.

"I think they both should be [declared eligible], but that's really not my call," Leach said.

Hicks caught 76 passes for 1,177 yards as a sophomore in 2004. 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 because of an undisclosed injury but returned to practice Tuesday.

Leach also said sophomore defense end Jared Williams, who was suspended from practice earlier this month, and redshirt freshman linebackers Victor Hunter and Sandy Riley would not play against SMU because of team rules violations. Leach declined to specify the violations.

E-mail kwhitmire@dallasnews.com

SMU at Texas Tech, season opener, 6 p.m. Saturday (KTCK-AM 1310, KTDK-FM 104.1, KHYI-FM 95.3)