Heck is apparently freezing over because the University of Hawai'i football team employed a tight end during yesterday's spring practice.

For the record, June Jones, architect of the four-wide offense, said Cameron Allen-Jones is a big running back learning pass routes. Jones has not used a tight end in his first eight seasons as UH head coach.

But Allen-Jones was aligned as a tight end and, at 6 feet 2 and 265 pounds, resembles a you-know-what.

"It's like a wing tight end," Allen-Jones said of his position.

At whatever position, Allen-Jones is grateful for an opportunity. The younger brother of linebacker C.J. Allen-Jones attended Marshall as a freshman in 2005. He transferred to UH last year, serving as a redshirt during the 2006 season.

He practiced as an offensive lineman on the scout team last year, and was poised to move to defensive end this spring.

"Coach Jones approached me," Allen-Jones said. "He said he wanted to run some tight ends. I said, 'OK, whatevers.' He's trying to do some new things next year."

Jones said he hopes Allen-Jones can succeed Reagan Mauia as the plus-sized running back. Mauia sometimes aligned in the slot, next to a tackle.

"We were going to move him to running back," Jones said. "I said: 'Let him play o-line and I'll teach him some pass routes. He's very athletic. He'll do fine. He never caught the ball (previously) but he's a good athlete. He'll learn to catch it."

4 GAMES ON ESPN

ESPN and the Western Athletic Conference yesterday announced the Warriors will play four nationally televised games this season, including three on Friday nights.

The Friday games are Oct. 12 at San Jose State (ESPN), Nov. 16 at Nevada (ESPN2) and Nov. 23 against Boise State (ESPN2).

The Dec. 1 UH-Washington game will be shown on ESPN or ESPN2.

TWIN WANTS IN

David Pedersen, a linebacker from El Camino College in California, is seeking to join the Warriors for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Pedersen is a minute older than his twin brother, Erik Pedersen, a UH safety.

David Pedersen said he began playing organized football as a high school senior. Since then, he has been used as a defensive end, safety and linebacker.

"They keep mixing and matching," Pedersen said.

Ryan Eastman, a defensive lineman from Saint Louis School, also attended practice yesterday. He will be a senior in the fall.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.