Among all the quarterback battles across the nation, Texas A&M football could have one of the most intriguing with Kellen Mond pushing Nick Starkel.
A definite program to watch during the course of Spring Practice across the country is Texas A&M football. Through numerous headlines that’ll put the Aggies in the spotlight come kick off of the 2018 regular season, developments are sure to take place in the coming months here.
Texas A&M has a new coach, a true quarterback battle, and a top tier wide receiver and safety to replace on the roster. There’s no shortage of aspects to pay attention to if you’re a fan of the Aggies, or SEC football in general. As it pertains to the Texas A&M quarterback battle, two names jump out as to who could be named the Week 1 starter.
The first of the two names to watch is rising redshirt sophomore Nick Starkel, who lit up the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a Belk Bowl loss to round out the 2017 campaign. Rising true sophomore Kellen Mond is the other name to watch, as he got some significant playing time last year too. First-year head coach Jimbo Fisher is sure to explore all options, but Starkel and Mond are the top two candidates on the inside track to lead the offense.
Fisher seems impressed by Mond’s spring performance so far. Making solid first impressions is always great when a new head coach is at the helm. Saturday Down South reported that Mond is making the most of the first team reps he is getting at this moment. Starkel and Mond seem to be switching up first team reps every other day.
Going off the momentum from the end of the 2017 campaign alone, Starkel should have a leg up on Mond. However, Mond showed some very promising abilities as a starting quarterback last season. Both Starkel and Mond did have their inconsistencies, but that’s expected out of two freshmen quarterbacks.
Jimbo does have a tough decision on his hands before the start of the 2018 slate. Texas A&M has a meeting with head coach Dabo Swinney and the 2016 National Champion Clemson Tigers early in the non-conference slate. Whether it’s Starkel or Mond that has the edge at that point, they’ll have to be at their very best.
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Starkel and Mond have the talent, and the small spots of proven experience, that displays the ability to lead the Aggies’ offense. However, there’s a lot changing in College Station right now. If Mond can continue to impress his new head coach in spring, and have a big Spring Game and fall leading up to Week 1, he’ll really push Starkel for the starting nod.