Kennedy's French ready for U.S. Army game

SAN ANTONIO - He's a little behind most of the other guys. OK, maybe more than a little behind.“I didn't really get a chance to do anything football wise since our season's been over,” Christian French said Friday afternoon.The Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior has been busy playing basketball for the Cougars, and his system went through a little shock this week as he and his West team prepared for today's

U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the

Alamodome. The game, televised at noon on NBC, features 98 of the top prep football players in the nation.French, of course, committed last month to play at the University of

Oregon. He's the lone Iowan in the game.“The week has been good,” French said. “I got down here Sunday. Monday and Tuesday were like six-hour practices ... That's really been helping a guy like me, whose football season has been over for a while.“It helps you get back into shape, to get your football skills back, your timing. It's helped me get back into it mentally.”While he's planning on playing tight end at Oregon, French will be at linebacker today. Considered a four-star recruit as an “athlete” by rivals.com, he played a linebacker-safety hybrid type position most of the season for Kennedy.“For this game, our team is pretty much stacked at receiver,” he said with a laugh.