Lehigh's Rackley selected for East-West Shrine Game

FROM KEITH GROLLER

Lehigh's outstanding offensive tackle Will Rackley has been selected for the East-West Shrine Game at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday. Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

Rackley and other participants in this year’s game arrived in Orlando on Saturday for a week of workouts, team functions, and a visit to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa.

Lehigh put out a release, saying the All-American offensive lineman will represent the East team in the nation’s longest-running college all-star game, one that benefits Shriners Hospitals for Children nationwide.

Rackley

Rackley is a Riverdale, Ga., native who solidified himself as one of the most dominant offensive linemen in Patriot League history, anchoring the offensive line for the Patriot League champion Mountain Hawks.

Rackley started all 13 games at left tackle for Lehigh in 2010 and ended his Mountain Hawk career with 40 consecutive starts on the offensive line. Rackley led an offensive line that allowed just 14 sacks in 2010, while the Mountain Hawks ranked second in the Patriot League in passing offense and scoring offense. He also paved the way for tailbacks Jay Campbell and Zach Barket, who combined to rush for over 800 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging over four yards per carry.

With his appearance on Saturday, Rackley will become the first Mountain Hawks to play in the East-West Shrine Game since Adam Bergen in 2005. Rackley will be responsible for protecting West team quarterbacks Nathan Enderle (Idaho), Jerrod Johnson (Texas A&M) and Scott Tolzien (Wisconsin).

Wade Phillips, most recently head coach of the Dallas Cowboys will coach Rackley and the West team, while another former NFL head coach, Dan Reeves will mentor the East squad.