Panthers 2021 Draft: What does Matt Rhule see in Kellen Mond?
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule was impressed by what he saw from Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond at the Senior Bowl.
It’s clear that coaching at the 2021 Senior Bowl was a hugely positive experience for the Carolina Panthers. The NFL Draft evaluation process looks much-changed this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, which makes things increasingly difficult for teams to do their due diligence in a normal fashion before spending their selections on the latest batch of college recruits.
Matt Rhule got after it with his usual high intensity, which was something that was evident throughout his first training camp with the Panthers last summer. The head coach was demanding nothing but the best from his America team on every drill and it would have been a stark realization for most in attendance about what it takes to succeed at the next level.
Some prospects wilted under the pressure.
But one improved his stock more than most.
Kellen Mond took this opportunity and made every snap count both during practice and when it was time for game day. The Texas A&M quarterback made a big impression on scouts in attendance, with his contribution also drawing some significant praise from Rhule himself.
"“We’re talking about a really, really football-smart guy here. He’s got one of those memories. You give him a play and he knows it. He kind of got into a rhythm there in the third quarter, just ripping some seam balls, making some plays. I think he’s got a bright future.”"
This doesn’t mean that the Panthers are a lock to take Moore. But the prospect has definitely improved given what the signal-caller displayed under pressure at the Mobile showcase.