Texas A&M Football: 5 reasons why Aggies are doomed in 2017

PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Josh Rogers #13 of the Texas A&M Aggies is unable to catch this pass as Darnay Holmes #1 of the UCLA Bruins defends during the first half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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PASADENA, CA – SEPTEMBER 03: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies is sacked by Jacob Tuioti-Mariner #91 of the UCLA Bruins during the second half of a game at the Rose Bowl on September 3, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Reliance on true freshman Kellen Mond

When Nick Starkel went down with an injury, the Aggie faithful knew not to expect instant success from Kellen Mond. He had been wildly inaccurate in fall camp and that may have led to Starkel winning the starting job.

Not only was Starkel the best leader on the team, which is a huge loss, but he also had the best grasp of the playbook. He knew how to lead the offense effectively, but going down with a season-ending injury in his first start was a major loss.

Don’t get me wrong, Mond is a talented kid. He was one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the country in the 2017 class, but he’s not quite ready. Sumlin was hoping to have him learn under Starkel and take over eventually. However, he’s being forced to grow up fast.

This season is going to be rough because of the reliance on a freshman quarterback. It has worked out for teams like Texas, Ole Miss an Ohio State in the recent past, but Mond isn’t quite at the same level of Shane Buechele, Shea Patterson or J.T. Barrett just yet.