SAN BERNARDINO — Touted defensive back recruit Priest Willis joined the team early this week, but has yet to gain academic clearance from the NCAA. He has already been admitted to UCLA, and can practice for 21 days before a decision.

Willis took summer classes at home in Arizona to fulfill additional requirements, but said he isn’t sure why the process is taking so long. UCLA and his parents are taking the lead there.

“They’ll tell me some stuff, but I don’t know a lot,” he said. “They don’t want me to stress about it because I will stress about it. The craziest thing, I’ve been out of school for so long — almost two-and-a-half months — and I’m still not cleared to play football.”

Expected to vie for a starting spot, he played well in his debut practice and secured a tipped interception.