The 2021 NFL Draft is expected to feature five quarterbacks -- Clemson's Trevor Lawrence, BYU's Zach Wilson, Ohio State's Justin Fields, Alabama's Mac Jones, and North Dakota State's Trey Lance -- selected throughout the first round. Dozens of reputable mock drafts and big boards back up this claim.
But the total number of first-round prospects should actually be six, according to former Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond. He wants to know why his name isn't included in that top group.
"I one hundred percent think [I should be in the first-round conversation]," Mond told The Zach Gelb Show on Wednesday. "I think my resume speaks for itself. One, having 40-plus [career] starts in the SEC conference -- the closest thing to the NFL -- and really just showing my growth this past year. A 9-1 record [this season], breaking many records at Texas A&M. Then after the season, after an Orange Bowl win, going and winning the Most Valuable Player at the Senior Bowl, and then having a phenomenal pro day.
"From the feedback and the reviews that I've got since the season has been over, I think a lot of people have been really shocked by what they've seen me do in person, but also going back and watching the film. So, I tell a lot of people I wouldn't be surprised [if I'm selected in the first round]. But I'm definitely excited for the opportunity..."
Mond, who spent the last four seasons with the Aggies, threw for 2,282 yards with 19 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2020. The 6-foot-3, 217-pound senior also rushed for 294 yards on 74 attempts, scored four times on the ground, and helped lead Texas A&M to a win over North Carolina in the Orange Bowl.
If Mond's numbers don't stand out, perhaps it's worth mentioning his program records. The 21-year-old is Texas A&M's all-time leader in career passing touchdowns (71), passing yards (9,661), completions (801), and passing attempts (1,358). And back in October against Arkansas, Mond surpassed Aggies legend Johnny Manziel in total offense (11,269 yards).
Although Mond believes he should be ranked among the top quarterback prospects, he doesn't feel disrespected by the projections.
"I think that everything's going to work out exactly how it's supposed to," Mond said. "I think that's exactly what happened at Texas A&M. Sometimes peoples' processes take a little bit longer than others, and I just continue to grind. I understood what certain things I needed to get better at, and I understood where I needed to grow in my leadership skills, my physical ability, and my mental ability. And I was able to do that, become self-aware of those things and those traits, my senior year...
"I'm looking forward to taking those traits and characteristics to the next level. I'm definitely going to be excited, and whichever team drafts me is going to get one hell of a player."
The first round of this year's NFL Draft will take place on Thursday, April 29, in Cleveland.
The entire conversation between Mond and Gelb can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow The Zach Gelb Show on Twitter @ZachGelb and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.