Mond’s Aggies career won’t include Year 5
COLLEGE STATION — As expected, Texas A&M senior quarterback Kellen Mond is moving on to preparing for the NFL draft.
“I came to Texas A&M with goals of growing as a person, as a leader and as a football player,” Mond posted to social media Thursday. “I have been fortunate to have the best coaches, athletic staff, academic staff, and especially the best teammates. I wouldn’t have achieved my goals if it wasn’t for all of you!”
Mond, who played at Reagan, joins starting center Ryan Mccollum and starting left tackle Dan
Moore, also both seniors, in declaring the end of their college tenure, with more announcements expected in coming days. Senior defensive tackle Jayden Peevy has said he intends to return for one more round.
The NCAA declared during the COVID-19 pandemic that all football players will not lose a year of eligibility this season, if they so choose. Mond led A&M to a 9-1 finish and a 41-27 Orange Bowl victory over North Carolina, and had the option of returning even after starting over four seasons.
Mond’s 93 total touchdowns through the air or as a rusher tied Johnny Manziel (2012-13) for the
A&M school record. Mond is the third SEC quarterback in history to throw for at least 9,000 yards while rushing for at least 1,500 more in his career, joining Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott and Florida’s Tim Tebow. The Aggies were 31-13 in games started by Mond, who also was a programbest 3-0 as a starting quarterback in bowl games. He projects anywhere from the first to the fourth round of the NFL draft.
Mond’s departure sets up a battle between returning freshmen Haynes King and Zach Calzada for the starting job. A&M coach Jimbo Fisher also signed four-star prospect Eli Stowers of Denton Guyer in the class of 2021. Longtime backup quarterback/ tight end Connor Blumrick intends to transfer.