It may be hot, but football is about to start

COUGARS • UPDATED: 7:15 P.M.

Football practice is just around the corner – it starts Sunday – but there are still some loose ends I’m trying to tie together.

• There’s the academic status of a few players. According to head coach Bill Doba, today’s the day summer grades are official. But even if a player came up short, he still can enter an appeals process and become eligible this season. We’re trying to run down the official status of couple of players – we do know backup offensive lineman Derek Hunter has decided to transfer – and when we do, we’ll put it up here.

• Other information I want to share concerns practice times that first week of workouts. Unlike many other Pac-10 schools, you can actually watch the Cougars practice if you want to stand outside in 90-degree weather. UPDATE: The practice schedule for the first week is on the end of this post. For other things I know right now, read on.