The younger brother of former All-Pro running back Jamal Anderson will join the University of Hawai'i football team.

"I'm looking forward to playing for the Warriors," said Jazen Anderson, a 5-foot-11, 220-pound running back from Moorpark (Calif.) College.

Anderson said he will earn an associate degree this month, fulfilling an NCAA eligibility requirement for an incoming transfer, and report to the Warriors' training camp on Aug. 4. He will have three years to play two seasons.

"I know it's going to be a great experience for me," he said. "My other choices were Utah and Arizona State. Utah is where my brother attended school, but I wanted to make a name for myself. I knew (UH) coach (June) Jones was the way to go because my brother was telling me great things about him."

As the Atlanta Falcons' head coach in 1994, Jones selected Jamal Anderson in the fifth round of the National Football League draft.

Anderson rushed for more than 1,000 yards in four of his nine seasons, leading the NFL with 1,846 yards in 1998. He also set an NFL record with 410 carries that year.

"My brother was the guy who ultimately helped me decide," Jazen Anderson said. "He told me coach Jones is a great guy, and I would love the way he coaches."

He said he delayed choosing a school because "I wanted to see where I fit in best."

Although he did not visit UH, he said, "I know I'm going to be comfortable there."

Jazen Anderson will compete to be the lone back in the Warriors' four-wide offense. At Moorpark, he played fullback, a role he believes will prepare him for the Warriors' schemes.

"I'm not a natural fullback, but my coach (at Moorpark) needed somebody, and I was the only person to step up," he said. "Let me tell you, it's a load blocking those 250-pound linebackers. There's nothing pretty about it. But it will help me when I have to block in the backfield in (UH's) run-and-shoot offense. My brother said you never block so much in your life."

Jazen said his unique name is a hybrid of his parents' names — James and Zenovia.

James Anderson was chief of security for personalties such as Jack Nicholson, Muhammad Ali, Donna Summer, the Jacksons and Mike Tyson.

In his free time, Jazen plays the Madden video football games. He placed second in a national competition using the Xbox system. "I rode with the Falcons because of (Michael) Vick," he said.