2014 UMass QB commit Randall West sounds like something special

Randall West received his first college offer in person. Charley Molnar, UMass' trailblazing head coach, handed West the offer and sold him on the idea of being a part of the process of building a program from the ground up. Not ranked by any of the major recruiting services, West will likely redshirt his freshman year while the current stable of quarterbacks progress.

That shouldn't be a problem though because, according to his coach Danny O'Dea, a redshirt year will help West add to his already-formidable 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame.

"I think UMass sees Randall as a kid they can mold," O'Dea said. "After a redshirt year, Randall has the potential to be a 6-foot-4, 235-pound quarterback who can run and throw. At that size, he would be one of the biggest quarterbacks in the country."

At that size, West figures to be about the size of Florida legend and NFL journeyman Tim Tebow. Unlike Tebow, however, West projects as a pro-style quarterback and he charted a 39.5 on the power throw. A mark that comes in just 3.0 behind the top mark in the class, according to ESPN.

West's senior season will be his second in the system he plays in at Lawrenceville High School (N.J.) and how he improves on his numbers from last fall (2,268 yards, 24 touchdowns, eight interceptions, 56 percent completions) will speak to how well he takes to coaching. He will have time to learn at UMass and by the time he enters the conversation for the quarterback position three years from now he could be ready to become a big-time player in the MAC.

This is all conjecture, obviously. West is entering his senior year of high school, is far from the most celebrated prospect in UMass' 2014 class and was hardly a blip on most schools' radar. But his combination of size and arm strength is enough to get excited about.

So now, we wait...and watch his highlight video.