It took 13 months and five days for Amani Purcell to officially join the University of Hawai'i football team.

"It feels good," said Purcell, the younger brother of Melila Purcell III, the Warriors' starting left defensive end.

Purcell, who is 6 feet 2 3/4 and 255 pounds, was told Thursday night he had met the academic requirements to enroll at UH and play for the Warriors this season.

Yesterday, he was listed as the No. 2 right outside linebacker, although he also will compete on the left side, UH coach June Jones said.

Jones said Purcell will be placed on scholarship "immediately." Jones had reserved a scholarship for Purcell. He is not taking a scholarship relinquished by two recruits who recently quit the team.

Purcell was heavily recruited as a multi-sport athlete at American Samoa's Leone High School in 2003. He turned down an offer from UH to sign with Penn State.

He redshirted as a freshman, and played in eight games as a defensive end in 2004. In July 2005, he requested — and received — a release from his Penn State scholarship.

"It was personal stuff," he said of his decision.

As a transfer, he was required to redshirt a season before playing for the Warriors. Instead, he took classes at Kapi'olani Community College. Last week, he received the "A" in History 152 necessary to meet the NCAA's eligibility requirement.

But UH did not immediately certify his grade, Purcell said, and "I was definitely worried. I was waiting for that grade to be approved. I finally got the word. I'm definitely happy."

Purcell appears to be physically fit, having trained daily with his brother and cousins (running back Nate Ilaoa; linebacker Brashton Satele; offensive linemen Larry Sauafea, Hercules Satele and Raphael Ieru, and defensive end Elliott Purcell).

"He has to get into football condition, but it won't take him long to be in shape," Jones said.

Jones said there is "no question" Purcell will be ready for the Sept. 2 opener against Alabama.

"From watching him play in high school, and the fact that he got on the field at Penn State as a (second-year) freshman, will tell you he'll get on the field here," Jones said. "He's a good player."

HERE'S LOOKING AT COLT

Quarterback Colt Brennan is among 35 players on the "watch list" for the Walter Camp Football Foundation's national Player of the Year award. Brennan led the nation in passing yards (4,301), touchdown passes (35) and total offense (371.3 yards) as a third-year sophomore in 2005.

"That's awesome," Brennan said. "It's an honor. It's great motivation, but at the same time, it's a compliment to be on anybody's 'watch list.' "

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