Mond’s work ethic pays dividends

Vikings draft one-time Reagan standout QB with 66th overall selection in the third round

COLLEGE STATION — For four seasons, Kellen Mond lowered his head and honed his considerable skills as Texas A&M’s starting quarterback, and in his final year led the Aggies to their highest finish in the Associated Press rankings in 81 years.

Mond’s hard work in college has paid off. The Minnesota Vikings

selected the one-time Reagan High School star with the second pick of the third round of the NFL draft (66th overall) Friday night.

“Playing in the NFL has been a dream pretty much since the age of 2 years old,” said Mond, the Senior Bowl MVP in January. “To get the call from the Vikings was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had.”

A&M has had at least one selection in the first 75 picks of each of the last 11 NFL drafts. The draft concluded Saturday with rounds four through seven.

“Kellen loves the process of football as much as he loves playing football,” A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said of Mond’s indefatigable approach to practicing and learning the game. “All the great guys do.”

Cliff Hawkins / Getty Images Kellen Mond, who once starred at Reagan, led Texas A&M to a No. 4 ranking in 2020, its highest finish since 1939.