Mond's mission: On pace to break records, greatness within A&M QB's grasp
At some point this football season, quarterback Kellen Mond will set Texas A&M career records for completions, passing yards, touchdowns and total offense.
However, he’d probably set a record for aspersions received if such a category existed.
That is the enigma that is Kellen Mond and his relationship with the A&M fandom.
Mond could virtually re-write all of A&M’s records for career passing and still be more belittled than beloved by a large faction of A&M fans, some of whom never wanted him to be A&M’s starter. Remember those who favored Nick Starkel, the failed Arkansas quarterback who is now at San Jose State?
Mond has been a 6-foot-3, 217-pound lightning rod for criticism for much of his career at Texas A&M. On-field mistakes and off-field political stands have made him a polarizing figure.
He was clutch in a historical seven overtime victory over LSU in 2018. But he cratered in a collapse at Auburn that same season. He led Aggies on a second-half scoring charge for a Texas Bowl victory over Oklahoma State. But angered a large number of Aggies by leading a protest of the Sul Ross statue.
Mond has been good, but not great.
That raises two questions as A&M embarks on its third football season under Jimbo Fisher.
Can Mond reach a semblance of greatness is his final season? And if he does, will he leave as a beloved quarterback?
That latter may be more difficult to attain than championships. Besides Johnny Manziel, A&M hasn’t had a truly beloved quarterback since Bucky Richardson departed in 1991.
The second question cannot be answered unless the first one is.
A great season for Mond would be defined by exceeding last year’s rushing totals (500 yards), passing totals (2,897 yards) and passing touchdowns (20), all while reducing turnovers (12).
If he does that, A&M could very likely increase its 2019 total of eight wins. In a 10-game season, that would be … Well, great.
Fisher has frequently raved about the strides Mond has made to further understand the offense, his decision-making and his vocal leadership.
Fisher did that again on Monday.
“From the day he got here, this camp, he hasn’t changed a lick,” Fisher said. “(He’s) been outstanding. Demeanor, ideas with the team, way he’s played, way he’s pushed guys, been exactly the same.”
Strong showings in practice do not guarantee strong performances on game day, but it can be a start.
If Mond plays as well as Fisher has hinted, Mond could break Jerrod Johnson’s career passing yardage and completions records by the third game — if not sooner. Johnson’s career touchdown passes record and Johnny Manziel’s career total offense record could soon follow.
“To be able to be so close and be in record books was something I wanted as a freshman and something I worked for,” Mond said on Monday. “Super exciting when that time comes. It’s a big deal, but I want to take it one game at a time and execute as best I can.”
Mond once made the ill-advised comment that he was the best quarterback in the Southeastern Conference. This year, he really could be.
That will require him significantly raising his performance level. Mond realizes this, and he has looked to address it by spending the entire offseason poring over game tape and self-critiquing.
“I evaluated myself throughout the entire offseason, quarantine,” Mond said. “I looked over every single play I ran last year. I wanted to evaluate myself and find out what I can do better to figure out the best way to improve myself. This year, I’m on a mission — not only for myself but for my teammates.”
Mond wants to take Texas A&M to a higher level, but first, he must get there himself. Big victories and championships are typically dependent on great quarterback play.
The next three months will determine if Mond can be great.
If he is, Mond may also become beloved.
There are some extremely vocal people on this site that don't like him. But I think much of the fanbase thinks he's a good QB and we are proud he is wearing A&M colors.
I'm looking forward to Saturday and I really want to see the Aggies use this pent up frustration to put together a hellofa year.
"More opportunity records" on mediocre teams is not impressive and is not something to really celebrate. They're side notes.
You cannot coach accuracy or the lack thereof.
Mond doesn't have it. Johnny did...and had Johnny stayed another year Mond would never set any records..other than overthrowing receivers, bad decisions, and turnovers.
Gonna be a VERY long season for Mond fans.
Get ready for an anti-Trump irrational bat-shyte crazy type hatred and scrutiny of Mond.
I hate to predict this but we get out scored by Arkansas (the winning streak is overdue and this will hurt our rating greatly). Of course this is just speculation that hopefully is erroneous.
BTHOvandy!
Is he JFF? No. JFF is literally GOAT. But Mond wishes he had the o-line and WRs that JFF had.
he started all 13 games in 2019 when A&M posted an 8-5 record. (4-4 vs. SEC)
he started all 13 games in 2018 when A&M posted a 9-4 record. (5-3 vs. SEC)
in 2017 he started 8 games...and went 5-3 as a starter. (3-3 vs. SEC)
so overall he is 22-12 as a starting QB; and 12-10 in conference play
no aggie QB has ever done any of those 3 things.
(Pullig was that last QB to go 4-0 vs. any opponent --- did it vs. UH and TCU)