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Texas A&M football: 5 bold predictions for the 2019 season

By Cahil Murchison

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 31: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks to pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Texas A&M won 52-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 31: Kellen Mond #11 of the Texas A&M Aggies looks to pass against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. Texas A&M won 52-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Kellen Mond Finishes Top 5 in Heisman Voting

It has been six years since you-know-who finished in the top five for the Heisman Trophy. He has been the only Aggie to do so since, but 2019-2020 could end the drought. As stated in the previous bold prediction, this Aggie offense has something that it has not been since the days of Manziel: depth at the skill position.

Sure, there were the days of big-time recruits like Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray waiting to get their chance. There was Josh Reynolds and Christian Kirk too. But being two-deep at the skill position is not the true meaning of deep.

No, deep is when an athlete is gassed in the fourth quarter, so coach sends in this backup and nobody bats an eye or lets out a groan of despair. “Jalen Hurts not playing well? That’s okay, we’ll send in Tua.” “No, more Antonio Brown, no worries. We’ll send in Juju to take over as WR 1.” That’s depth and that’s exactly what the Aggies have in 2019 on the offensive side of the ball.

“Jhamon Ausbon tweaked his ankle? No biggie, we have Quartney. Quartney’s gassed? That’s okay. Send in Rodgers or Buckley.” When quarterbacks have depth on their side, they’re comfortable. Comfort equals confidence, and the country knows what Mond can do when he has his confidence up. Kellen is in a similar boat as the aforementioned Baylor Cupp.

They are both set up for success this season. Not only does Mond have a Rolodex of receivers to sort through, but he also has a monster set of running backs to help him out as well.

Offensive weapons galore

“Use the run to set up the pass,” the old cliche goes. If Jimbo finds a way to successfully use Jashaun Corbin and incoming freshman, Isiah Spiller, the pass is going to be set up like a softball on a tee, waiting to be sent into oblivion. These two backs are similar in their style but different from last year’s Trayveon Williams.

Williams was a shifty scat back who was dependent on quick feet and slipping past defenders. Corbin and Spiller are more one-cut running backs, similar to Adrian Peterson. They run a little taller and get upfield instead of making jump-cuts and spin moves. This will be more conducive for Mond to succeed.

Take a look back when Jimbo coached Jamies Winston to a Heisman and National Championship. He used power backs who were more apt to lower their shoulder through a tackle rather than juking and jiving. This wears on a defense throughout the game, opening up passing lanes and slowing down the pass rush. This one-two combo could be all that Mond needs to take him to up his production even more.

Anyone could assume that Mond would improve over time. Most players do as they get older. But what Jimbo has been able to do with Kellen is mind-boggling. If this trend continues, No. 11 will have a monstrous year. With a great set of skill players and an A-list coach, the IMG Academy graduate is in a great position to have a year worthy of a Heisman Trophy, or at least Heisman votes.