Vero Beach QB 'Champ' Monds IV Is Rewriting the Recruiting Playbook - His Way
VERO BEACH, Fla. - In an era where high school quarterbacks are practically expected to have private trainers, 7-on-7 accolades, and social media highlight reels by the time they're 15, Wonderful "Champ" Monds IV is doing things a little differently - and it’s working.
The Vero Beach Fighting Indians’ starting quarterback since his freshman year, Monds has carved out his own path, guided by a strong sense of self, a deep bond with his father, and a clear vision for his future. He’s not chasing trends - he’s trusting the process he’s followed since he was seven years old.
A Throwback in a Modern Game
Ask his head coach, Lenny Jankowski, and he’ll tell you Monds is an “old soul.” And it shows - not just in how he plays, but in how he prepares. While many of his peers spend their offseasons traveling the 7-on-7 circuit or working with private quarterback coaches, Monds has stuck to working with his own team and staying grounded in the fundamentals.
“7-on-7, I feel like it's great when you're getting reps with your guys,” Monds said. “That’s what I do with my team, Vero Beach 7-on-7. But I also feel like it can create bad habits - holding onto the ball, waiting for someone to get open - which isn’t always realistic in a real game.”
It’s not that he’s against it. He gets the appeal - the exposure, the competition, the fun. But for Monds, it’s about staying true to what’s helped him grow - and that means sticking to the plan he and his father set years ago.
“We don’t have a problem with quarterback trainers - I talk to a lot of them,” he said. “But we just decided to stick to our plan. It’s the same one I’ve had since I was seven.”
Built by Family, Fueled by Grit
That plan? It’s got his dad’s fingerprints all over it. Monds credits his father - who’s been his coach, best friend, and biggest influence - for instilling that old-school mentality.
“My dad, he’s a little old school,” Monds said. “Growing up with him, he’s taught me everything I know. That mindset - just grinding every day - that’s what helped make me who I am.”
That mindset played a major role in one of the biggest decisions of his young career: reclassifying from the 2028 class to 2027. It wasn’t about chasing offers or headlines. It was about development - getting to the next level sooner, competing with college players, and accelerating his growth.
“We made the decision based off what we felt was best for my development,” Monds said. “Getting to that college level a year earlier, practicing with those guys - we feel like that’ll help me get better as a player and a person.”
It’s a bold move, but Monds isn’t fazed. He’s staying grounded, taking things “day by day,” even as his recruitment heats up.
A Recruitment Heating Up
Despite the reclassification, Monds is already deep into his recruiting process. He’s planning spring visits to Florida State, Florida, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Tennessee - a who's who of college football powerhouses. The goal this spring: get a feel for the programs, narrow things down, and figure out where he’ll take his official visits this summer.
“I feel like we’re at a pretty good stage,” Monds said. “Starting to narrow down schools, see who we want to go visit in March for spring practices. Then we’ll narrow it down again for official visits.”
Florida State has been a steady presence in his recruitment. Head coach Mike Norvell has made a strong impression, and the relationship between the two seems to be growing with every visit.
“I love Coach Norvell,” Monds said. “I like him as a person and as a coach. We bonded really easily every time I go up there.”
The recent retirement of FSU offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn - who offered Monds his first scholarship back when he was at UCF - caught the young quarterback off guard. But it hasn’t shaken his confidence in the Seminoles.
“Definitely was shocked,” Monds admitted. “Just talked to Coach Malzahn.
But it doesn’t change too much. It might change how they run the offense, so that’s something we’ll watch during spring practice.
They’ve got a lot of great people in the building, so I don’t doubt they’ll be just fine.”
In-State Contenders Making Their Push
Florida is also making a strong push. With new head coach John Sumrall now at the helm, the Gators are working to build a relationship with the in-state standout. Monds has already been to Junior Day in Gainesville and plans to return to see the staff in action on the field.
“New coaching staff, so definitely got to build a relationship with them,” he said. “That’s another reason why I’m going back - to see them coach their quarterbacks up on the field.”
Then there’s Miami. The Hurricanes, fresh off a national championship appearance, are firmly in the mix. Head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson have caught Monds’ attention with how they’re running the program and the offense.
“Great program,” Monds said. “Cristobal does a great job with those guys. Coach Dawson runs a great offense.”
Decision Timeline
While nothing is set in stone, Monds is eyeing a decision around the time of his official visits in June. That said, if one of his spring visits feels right, he’s not ruling out an earlier commitment.
For now, he’s staying focused - on development, on relationships, and on finding the right fit. He’s not chasing stars or headlines.
He’s chasing growth. And whether it’s on the field or in the film room, Champ Monds is proving that sometimes, the old-school way still works just fine in the modern game.
He’s currently ranked as the No. 36 quarterback in the 2027 class - but rankings don’t tell the full story. If you know, you know: this kid’s got the tools, the mindset, and the maturity to make serious noise at the next level.