Quarterback Kellen Mond selected 66th overall by the Minnesota Vikings
Record-setting Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond’s rise in draft stock resulted in his selection in the second day of the NFL draft on Friday night.
Mond was taken by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the draft. He was the seventh quarterback chosen and the 66th overall selection.
Mond is the first A&M quarterback drafted since Johnny Manziel was taken by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2013 draft.
Somewhat ironically, this draft is being held in Cleveland.
Mond, originally from San Antonio, arrived at Texas A&M in 2017 as a four-star recruit out of IMG Academy.
He was immediately thrust into action when starter Nick Starkel sustained an injury in the first half of the 2017 season-opening loss to UCLA.
Mond started eight games as a true freshman before Starkel recovered and returned to the starting lineup.
The next season — A&M’s first under coach Jimbo Fisher — Mond won a quarterback competition with Starkel and went on to be the starter for three consecutive seasons.
Mond completed his career as the Texas A&M leader in passing touchdowns (71), passing yards (9,661), completions (801), attempts (1,358) and total offense (11,269 yards).
He tied Manziel’s career record of 93 touchdowns responsible for, which was good for 10th in SEC history. Also, Mond joined Florida’s Tim Tebow and Mississippi State’s Dak Prescott as SEC quarterbacks to record more than 9,000 career passing yards and 1,500 rushing yards.
Yet, Mond was once projected as a late-round selection, at best.
However, his draft stock steadily rose throughout a strong senior campaign. He followed that up by winning Most Valuable Player at the Senior Bowl.
Then, at Texas A&M’s pro day, he showed off his arm strength while also running a 40-yard dash in 4.57 seconds.
Suddenly, Mond was being projected as high as a second-round pick by some draft analysts.
They proved to be correct.