After transferring from Reagan High School in San Antonio, Texas to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida this past winter, it is clear that Kellen Mond is on a mission. Mond, a Baylor commit, is ranked by ESPN as being the #1 dual-threat quarterback in the country, but for him that’s not enough: “Of course, everyone says they want to win a national championship, but not everyone will start once they get on campus their freshman year. My mindset is to be a starter, so I’m pushing all the other quarterbacks and making the team better, but I think that Baylor is the perfect fit, and I hope that I will be able to get to that point once I get on campus.” said Mond.

 

Kellen Mond has been preparing for this his whole life. At the age of three, Mond had already begun his journey towards becoming one of the best quarterbacks in the nation. “My dad started grooming me to be a quarterback at the age of three,” Mond said. “My dad has been my biggest influence in just teaching me to be confident every time I step on the field. He’s really been the one that’s supported me and he definitely helps me with my game, so he’s my biggest influence and my biggest fan.”

Since then, Mond has gone on to become one of the most exciting quarterbacks in the Class of 2017. Something that separates Mond from the rest of the quarterbacks in his class is his incredible elusiveness, saying, “I think a lot of players and a lot of great quarterbacks all have a strong arm, a quick release, and good footwork, but with me, being elusive in the pocket, I think that my ability to avoid being tackled by the linebackers and defensive lineman is something that stands out in my game.”

 

Mond committed to Baylor University during the summer before the start of his junior year, and since then, he has received plenty of attention, not only in the state of Texas but all over the country. “Since the commitment, everyone has just been supportive of me,” he said, “I’ve gained more publicity around the city, the state of Texas, and all around the United States.” But after transferring to IMG Academy, Mond has been put on a new platform, one that should vault him to the top of high school football. IMG has been well known for their incredible work with their quarterbacks. Next year will be the second straight year that IMG has the top dual-threat quarterback in the country with Mond. Last year, leading the way for IMG Academy was Shea Patterson, who has since moved on to Ole Miss. Although Mond is well aware of IMG’s history with quarterbacks, he is ready for the challenge, saying, “There’s no pressure. I know that there are a lot of guys, especially because it’s a quarterback-friendly offense, so there are a lot of great quarterbacks there. I just have to wait for my turn and keep on working hard, keep getting better.”

 

Mond transferred to IMG on December 28, 2015. Despite leaving Reagan High School, he still had some great things to say about them: “I want to thank the coaches and football players at Reagan High School and for everything they have done for me.”

Last year at Reagan, Mond threw for 1,991 yards 26 touchdowns while also running for 898 yards and seven touchdowns, leading the Reagan Rattlers to a solid 11-1 record. At IMG, Mond will also have the opportunity to graduate early to get a head start on the competition at Baylor. “I’m going to be enrolling early at Baylor, so that can put me a half a year ahead of most players which will help me get to know the offense and understand the speed of the game,” he said. “Understanding the guys you’re playing with is one big factor,” Mond elaborated, “This summer, I’m going to be taking classes to get ahead. I’m actually ahead of credits right now, but I have to take one class during the summer or even online, so that should be pretty easy. Just getting on campus because playing spring football with them will be a big thing for me.”

 

With his senior year of high school approaching and a new beginning at IMG Academy on the way, Kellen Mond will definitely be a force to be reckoned with as he prepares for his start at Baylor University. He is definitely a player to look out for in the 2017 Class. It is clear that Mond has all of the abilities to lead this IMG team to a national championship. He says it best: “A lot of guys look up to me, so being a great leader is something that I try to do. As long as I’m doing the right thing, there should be nothing wrong with me being a leader.”