Ex-Vandal Rehkow ready for Shrine All-Star Classic

When the West takes on the East in the annual Shrine All-Star Classic today (noon, NFLN), Austin Rehkow will be in a somewhat familiar position — he’ll be both kicker and punter for the West.

Rehkow shined in both roles at the University of Idaho the past four seasons.

“We’ve been keeping pretty busy,” said Rehkow from St. Petersburg, Fla., where the game will be played at Tropicana Field. “It’s like a mini fall camp — just the feeling of always needing to go somewhere.”

Rehkow is one of 116 players invited to play in the annual game that benefits Shriners Hospitals For Children. As part of game-week preparation, which includes coaching from NFL staffs, players visit local hospitals.

Rehkow hopes to parlay his being one of the nation’s best kickers and punters over the past four years into a professional career. The surprise to him — a one-time finalist for the nation’s top punting award (the Ray Guy Award), is the interest in him appears to be as a kicker.

“They’re more intrigued with the kicking side of it than the punting,” said Rehkow, who was ranked third nationally in field goals per game and 11th in field goal percentage during his senior season. “I’m fine with either — or both. This week has been a great opportunity to showcase what you can do.”

The Central Valley High product will have another chance to display his talents when he attends the NFL Combine in February. In between, he’ll work on his kicking and punting and a physical therapy internship in his hometown of Spokane.