This time last season the focus in College Station was on the quarterback competition between Kellen Mond and Nick Starkel. Now with Mond fully entrenched as Texas A&M’s starting quarterback — and Starkel on his way to Arkansas via transfer, many see the ceiling of the program next season tied to the progress of the Aggie signal caller.

If that’s an accurate assessment, Jimbo Fisher is likely going to make A&M fans pleased after the first day of spring camp in College Station.

The progress of Mond was a topic the Texas A&M coach hit on several times during his latest media availability. Here is what Fisher had to say when asked what he would like to see his quarterback improve upon this spring.

“Decision making, accuracy, you know, quickness. Getting in and out of checks, getting out of things, but also the guys around him have to function,” Fisher said. “You know, we always put it on the quarterback, it doesn’t matter what the quarterback does if the guys around you don’t function. Then when they function, he’s got to function.

“But from his standpoint, I think his knowledge of the offense which got better and better at the end of the year. He’s consistently getting to be a better thrower, a decision-maker, which you know he did a solid job of today.”

Fisher was then asked if the proverbial “light came on” for Mond late last season following his outstanding performances against LSU and N.C. State to close out the season.

“I think it did, he had success, bringing the team back in a big victory (vs. LSU), winning a bowl game — which you haven’t done. Learn how to prepare,” he continued. “You can see it, he feels comfortable with what we are doing, a lot more advanced in how he’s talking, what he’s saying, the conversations we are having, his reads. You can just see it.”

When it comes to what Mond can improve upon moving forward, Fisher admitted there are a few areas of the QB’s game he will be studying this spring during camp.

“Overall knowledge and command and the consistency in which you play with,” Fisher said. “Decision making, accuracy, all those things which should grow as your knowledge grows and the other thing is you say that, the guys around him are running better routes. The guys around him protect better. The guys around him do their job better because they know what is going on. That really helps, too.”

The expectations have never been higher in College Station and with Fisher’s outstanding track record of success with quarterbacks, there’s no reason to doubt Mond can help lead the Aggies to new heights in 2019.

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