Texas A&M QB Kellen Mond is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the SEC. But some Aggies fans are looking for him to take the next step and lead the team to be a true contender to win the SEC West.

Mond is on board with that thinking, as he shared with reporters on Monday as the Aggies prepare to play Vanderbilt on Saturday. That’s why he never considered opting out of the upcoming season.

“I would say that I have a different mentality,” Mond said, per TexAgs. “Evaluating myself throughout this offseason, I looked back on every play I ran my junior year and figure out how to improve myself. This year, I’m on a mission for myself and my teammates.”

Mond is closing in on school records for passing yards, attempts, completions and touchdown passes.

“I’ve been through a lot at A&M and I have high expectations for myself,” he said. “It means a lot to be so close to so many A&M records. It will be a big deal (to break records) but I just have to take it one game at a time.”

Mond appears to be in a good place in terms of confidence.

“Every time I step on the field, I always think I’m the best player,” he said. “I feel really confident going into this season and I look forward to game one and moving on from there.”