5-star LB Smael Mondon Gives The Latest On His Recruitment
One of the most interesting prospects in the 2021 class has to be 5-star linebacker, Smael Mondon.
He’s one of the top overall prospects in the country and is wanted badly by some of the top programs in the South.
The 6-foot-3 215-pounder looked like a young Todd Gurley at his Paulding County (GA) practice this week, not only in the face, but in his frame, the way he moved, everything.
He’ll be counted on heavily as a running back for Paulding County this fall, and the Colorado Buffaloes even offered him to play running back, but Mondon will play his college days at linebacker.
Earlier this summer the 5-star named his top 5 schools, and Dawg Post caught up with Mondon this week to talk about where some of those schools currently stand in his recruitment.
The Bulldogs have been in the mix from the start, so have the Auburn Tigers, but another SEC school has put themselves in the mix thanks to their outstanding linebackers coach.
That would be the Florida Gators.
“I like the vibe that coach C-Rob (Christian Robinson) lets off”, Mondon said. “He’s a bright, sunshiny dude. He lets off a real happy vibe. He’s a real genuine dude and I can tell just off his voice and how he talks that he’s a genuine dude and he means what he says. We talk just about every day and it’s about different stuff. It’s not all about football because you have to build relationships.”
Relationships are important to Mondon, and one of the coaches he has the best relationship with is Auburn linebackers coach Travis Williams. The Tiger’s assistant has never had a problem signing top linebackers from the peach state, and he’s put himself in a position to land another one in Mondon.
“Coach T-Will (Travis Williams) is another dude I can vibe with”, Mondon said. “I relate with him a lot. We can talk about different things and have long conversations because we have a lot to talk about. We’ve been through the same stuff. Our personalities and the music we listen too are similar.”
As expected, the Bulldogs are also staying in constant contact with Mondon. They are looking to load up at linebacker in this 2021 class, and that’s what they’re selling to Mondon. Sources close to the situation tell Dawg Post that the Georgia staff is doing their best to sell to Mondon that playing time will be there for him in Athens.
“At Georgia, I hear from inside linebackers coach Glenn Schumann and Kirby Smart a lot”, Mondon said. “I talk to defensive coordinator Dan Lanning a good bit. Coach Smart is really hands-on with the defense so I’ve been talking to him a lot. They talk to me the same amount as Florida. It might not be every single day, but it’s most days or every other day. When coach Smart and I talk about football, we take it seriously because he wants to win. Outside of football, he’s just a chill dude just like I am. Coach Schumann is a nice dude. He does a lot for his players and he takes care of them.”
The Tennessee Vols are in the mix as well thanks to their best recruiter, inside linebackers coach, Brian Niedermeyer.
“I like the same thing about the Vols as I do all my other top schools”, Mondon said. “I get that same vibe from all the top 5 schools. There’s a family vibe there and they’re going to take care of you and treat you well.”
So, what means the most to Mondon in the recruiting process?
“I’m big on everything when I’m doing my research and going through things”, Mondon said. “I’m not just going somewhere where they only win national titles and I don’t connect with any of the coaches. But at the same time, I’m not going somewhere where I love all the coaches but we aren’t going anywhere as a program. I’m just looking for the best fit.”
So what will it take to sign Smael Mondon?
“I really don’t know”, Mondon said. “I can’t really say that right now. That’s something that I have to find out. Whenever I know, I’m going to know. I’m not really pressing anything right now.”
“Originally when I first started getting all my offers, I wanted to be one of those guys on TV on Early Signing Day and have everyone surprised. Now, my mindset is ‘when I know I know’. If I know tomorrow, I don’t have a problem setting something up and doing it tomorrow. But if I don’t know until Signing Day, then I don’t have any problem waiting. I’m not really pressing. Whenever I’m ready I’ll do it.”
Are there one or two schools separating themselves from the pack in the back of Mondon’s mind? According to him, the final schools are all on the same level.
“I look on Twitter and stuff and I’ll see people saying ‘Oh Mondon’s #1 is this or that”, and I know I haven’t said anything, so I know everyone’s just guessing. There’s no secret school that’s leading in my head. Nobody is on top.”
The 5-star said he would have no problem committing whenever it feels right, but he also admitted that he would like to have a commitment or signing ceremony to announce it instead of throwing it up on social media. Mondon said he wants to honor and recognize some of the coaches, teachers, and friends for getting him to the point he’s at today.
As far as when he’ll make a commitment, Dawg Post was told Mondon will likely take some visits when things open back up before making his decision. Sources say he wants to see each school again to get a final assessment on what each school has to offer.
Mondon is ranked by Dawg Post as the No.2 overall prospect in Georgia. The Composite Rankings list Mondon as the No.2 OLB prospect and the No.26 overall prospect in the 2021 class.