How Will Briles Firing Impact Recruitment of 4-Star Baylor QB Commit Kellen Mond

Hours after Baylor University announced intentions to terminate the contract of head football coach Art Briles, quarterback Kellen Mond was attempting to assess a messy situation.

"[I] won't know or do anything until I talk to my parents more in depth about the situation," he told Bleacher Report.

Mond, a blue-chip prospect who verbally committed to Baylor last June, is the top-rated player in a 2017 Bears recruiting class teetering on the brink of collapse. Briles, who brought the program to national prominence during an eight-season tenure in Waco, Texas, was removed from his position in the aftermath of continued investigations surrounding widespread sexual abuse allegations against players. 

Before Briles arrived in Waco, Baylor hadn't finished any season with a winning record since 1995. During the past five years, he led the Bears to 50 victories, landing them in the Top 15 of the Associated Press poll on four occasions.

"I definitely committed there because of Art Briles," Mond said.

The 6'2 ½", 201-pound prospect aimed to eventually take his place in a line of quarterbacks who've enjoyed immense success under Briles' direction. Robert Griffin III and Bryce Petty were both named Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, while Griffin also earned the Heisman Trophy.

Jarrett Stidham, a prized 2015 prospect, displayed star potential as a true freshman last fall before suffering a season-ending injury. Mond, a rising senior at IMG Academy in Florida, also has the makings of a premier collegiate playmaker.

Before his transfer to IMG Academy last winter, he dominated at Reagan High School in San Antonio. Mond collected 2,889 total yards in 2015, per USA Today, tallying 33 touchdowns in the process.

Even before things crumbled at Baylor, he explored alternative collegiate options. Auburn and Ohio State each welcomed Mond to campus this spring.

Those programs now lead his commitment projections in 247Sports' crystal ball, with the Tigers carrying 50 percent of experts' predictions and the Buckeyes following behind with 38 percent. Auburn lost a commitment from 4-star dual-threat quarterback Lowell Narcisse earlier in the cycle, while Ohio State has been open about desires to add a second passer to a class that includes longtime pledge Danny Clark.

Texas A&M, fresh off losing grips on 5-star quarterback Tate Martell, could also make a move. The Aggies lost two former 5-star quarterbacks to transfers after last season and present a depth chart that could tempt Mond.

In the aftermath of Thursday's Baylor news, he teased Aggies fans with this tweet:

Mond remains committed to Baylor at this stage, but circumstances are fluid to say the least. His father, Kevin, explained the upcoming game plan to Chuck Miketinac of Fox News San Antonio:

Mond is set to compete at Elite 11 national finals in Los Angeles next week, and it would be somewhat surprising if he doesn't announce his intentions before competition commences June 3. If he opts to depart Baylor's class, Mond would join 4-star tight end Kedrick James, who decommitted shortly after Briles' dismissal.

Hezekiah Jones, a 4-star Texas receiver, is another heavily targeted recruit who could soon move on to another opportunity. His offer sheet features Notre Dame, Alabama, Oregon and several other universities. 

You can be certain remaining members of the Bears staff are doing their diligence to keep Mond on board. It's also fair to expect several other coaches across America are also keeping his phone busy. 

With the vast majority of top-tier 2017 quarterback recruits firmly committed to schools, Mond has quickly become one of America's most important prospects to monitor moving forward.

Quotes obtained firsthand by Bleacher Report National Recruiting Analyst Tyler Donohue. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite ratings.

Follow Tyler via Twitter: @TDsTake.