On Monday, Ohio State quarterback coach Tim Beck was in Bradenton, Florida, checking out IMG quarterback Kellen Mond, who is fast becoming a priority for the Buckeyes in their 2017 class.
"(Tim) Beck was at the school," Mond told Eleven Warriors. "Auburn, Ohio State and Texas A&M are recruiting me the hardest right now — Ohio State the hardest, though."
Mond and his father made their visit to Ohio State last month for the Buckeyes' spring game, getting their chance to see things in Columbus up close.
"I never really knew much about the atmosphere (at Ohio State), so I didn't really know what to expect," Mond said. "I liked how big the campus was and it was definitely a relaxing atmosphere, except for the spring game having 100,000-plus fans there, that was crazy seeing all the fans. My dad loved it there."
Mond said he was also impressed by his time with Urban Meyer.
"I've never met him before that visit," he said, regarding Ohio State's head coach. "I liked him a lot. He definitely knows his stuff, especially at the quarterback position."
Turn about, as they say, is fair play and it was Beck who got his first chance to see Mond up-close Monday. It appears he came away impressed.
"That was the first time (Beck) has seen me live," Mond said. "We had a full pad practice. We did offense versus defense twice and also threw routes. He even said he didn't know I was that good because he'd only seen my film."
Ohio State offered Mond, who is committed to Baylor, during his visit to Columbus. His transition to the IMG Academy from San Antonio's Reagan High School has been a success. Mond knows he's getting better.
"I've always known that when I get talent around me, I'll play at a way higher level," he said. "I'm getting coached by one of the best. My upside is tremendous and I'm only going to get better. I've put on 10 pounds and I've gotten faster."
Though he's started to become one of the country's most highly-regarded quarterback prospects, Mond says he's enjoying the newfound success.
"I really don't feel any pressure because in my mind, it's my decision," the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder said. "I feel like I'm going to make the right one. I know what my parents and I can control so I really don't let pressure or anything else get to me in recruiting. In my mind, I plan to be done with recruiting by July."
There's no pressure to make a choice, but Mond does have a timeline in mind for a final decision. He wants to be cemented in a choice so that he can be an asset for his future school at this summer's premier recruiting event: Nike's The Opening.
"I picked July because by that time I want to be representing my school all the way at The Opening," he said. "I don't want any stress with recruiting."
With an a potential timeline for his a final decision set, Mond is focused on Baylor, Ohio State, Texas A&M and Auburn. He checked out the Tigers two weekends ago, but right now there are no plans for any more visits.
"Our team took a trip to FSU, Florida and Auburn but the only school I talk to is Auburn out of them, I had a good visit there," he said. "I don't plan on taking anymore visits. We only have a few more weeks of school and I've got a lot of tests coming up."
