“He’s fine. He’s here,” KU coach Mark Mangino said of Weekley, a junior-college transfer from Arizona Western. “I kept him out of today’s workouts so he could finish up some academic responsibilities. He’s here. He’s working with us. I’m confident that’s he’s going to be certified.”

KU fans have been buzzing that Weekley and a fellow transfer, John McCoy, would not be eligible when the season began Aug. 30 against Northwestern. It had been speculated Weekley, a 6-foot-4, 256-pound sophomore, had left KU for another junior college.

Mangino didn’t seem concerned Wednesday about either transfer.

“I don’t want to get too much into those type of issues because we have a handful of kids that we’re waiting for certification,” Mangino said when asked about McCoy, a 6-3, 250-pound linebacker from Victor Valley College. “Our academic staff tells me that unless something unforeseen comes up, they should be certified.”

AP Photo

The coach also said there was no timeline to complete the certification process.

• More newcomers: Mangino spoke for the first time Wednesday about two recruits KU added late — sophomore offensive lineman Matt Thompson from Air Force and sophomore defensive back Rodney Fowler from Pasadena College.

Thompson (6-5, 290) will sit out this season in accordance with NCAA transfer rules.

“He’s not eligible, but we have high hopes for him,” Mangino said. “He’s a promising prospect.”

Fowler (6-0, 192), a safety, can also play cornerback.

“He’s very intelligent,” Mangino said. “He’s picking up the system very quickly.”

¢ 6Sports video: First open football practice encouraging

Scott McClurg/Journal-World Photo

KU bolstered its receiver corps with the addition of Scott Bajza (6-6, 210) from Cerritos College. Thompson and Bajza will walk-on this fall and be given scholarships second semester. Fowler already is on scholarship.

• Heat wave: KU practiced for three hours Wednesday, the maximum time limit allowed by the NCAA.

“We’re making the most of our time,” said Mangino, whose team opened camp Monday. “I’m really encouraged. We have a long way to go. We’re racing against the clock for Aug. 30, but I think we’re going to be just fine by Aug. 30.”

When practice ended at 11:30 a.m., temperatures had risen to 88 with a heat index of 95. Defensive lineman Phil Tuihalamaka (6-3, 323) stopped several times to throw up.

“You have to encourage them,” said defensive lineman David McMillan (6-3, 240). “I don’t know what it’s like to be 300 pounds. I’m sure it’s tough for them to get in shape. You just have to encourage them and tell them to fight through it. It’s only been three days. By the time the season starts, he’ll be all right.”

• Heaggans on move: Greg Heaggans came to Kansas as a receiver in 2001 and took a red-shirt. He’s since moved to defensive back, emerged as a record-setting kick returner and even played quarterback last year. Heaggans, a sophomore, was back at receiver during Wednesday’s practice.

“He might be a linebacker tomorrow,” Mangino said. “He’s trying to find his niche, and we’re trying to help him.”

The Jayhawks’ 8:20 a.m. practice today is open to the public on the field behind Anschutz Pavilion.

• Good to be the King: The arrival of more than two dozen recruits should improve KU’s depth. The Jayhawks were thin at several positions last year when the Jayhawks’ finished 2-10.

“Did you ever see the King and His Court of softball? Eddie Feigner with four players,” Mangino said. “That’s about how much depth we had last year. Anything would be an improvement.”

Feigner’s four-man, fastpitch barnstorming team took on nine-man teams. The Court got by without depth because few hitters could catch up to Feigner’s fastball. He pitched 930 no-hitters, 238 perfect games and 1,916 shutouts.