TAMPA, Fla. – Organizers of the East-West Shrine Game announced over the weekend that University of South Alabama tight end Wes Saxton has accepted an invitation to play in this year's contest.

The 90th edition of the game will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla.  It is slated to kick off at 3 p.m. (CST) and will be televised live on the NFL Network.

Saxton is the first Jaguar to be selected to participate in the event, although he is the fourth individual from the program to be invited to compete in a postseason all-star game in its first six years of existence.  Courtney Smith played in the 2011 Senior Bowl, while Jake Johnson and B.J. Scott participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl two years later; both were chosen to take part in the Senior Bowl as well that season.

A senior from Hueytown, Ala., Saxton ranks fourth all-time in school history in both catches (96) and receiving yards (1,126), compiling those figures in 36 appearances over the last three seasons.  Last fall, the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder finished with 50 receptions for 635 yards — ranking in the top 10 in the Sun Belt Conference in both categories — while earning first-team all-league honors.

This year he has posted 20 catches, which leads Jaguar tight ends, for 155 yards, missing one full game and most of two others after suffering an injury in USA's win over rival Troy on Oct. 24.  In the preseason Saxton was selected a candidate for both the John Mackey and Biletnikoff Awards as well as a first-team all-conference choice in a vote of Sun Belt coaches and media.

His efforts have helped the Jags earn six wins and achieve eligibility for a postseason bowl game each of the last two years.

More than 265 East-West Shrine Game alumni are currently on National Football League rosters, while 70 participants in the contest have gone on to reach the NFL Hall of Fame.

"The most important aspect of East-West Shrine Game has always been supporting Shriners Hospitals for Children," said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Harold Richardson.  "But during game week, it also affords our players a terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL … 'Just Like on Sunday.'"

Tickets for the 90th East-West Shrine Game — with the cost $15 for general admission tickets (the price does not include service fees) — are available online at both www.shrinegame.com or www.ticketmaster.com, and can also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets.

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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