re: Class of 2016 Recruiting MEGATHREAD: Waiting On Demetris Robertson Edition

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Saraland sophomore quarterback Jack West now has an Alabama offer.

Spartans' coach Jeff Kelly confirmed to AL.com that Alabama coach Nick Saban extended the offer today when West visited the campus.

West went to Tuscaloosa on Monday night and worked out for coaches from approximately 9:30 a.m. until noon on Tuesday, according to Kelly. Saban then offered him a scholarship before he left campus.

"Jack is a mature kid," Kelly said. "He was grateful and humble and very thankful that Alabama thought enough of him to give him that opportunity. Coach also gave him some great advice about the importance of being a high school kid and working to do the best for your school. He said the rest would take care of itself in due time. It was a good trip."

West is the first in-state high school quarterback to receive an Alabama offer since 2012. Current Tide quarterback Jake Coker graduated from St. Paul's but signed with Florida State out of high school and transferred to Alabama prior to the 2014 season.

"Every time, you walk in that place (Alabama), it is like you are going to a different planet," West told AL.com. "It is really something special. I thought today went well. There were some throws I would like to have back, but that is OK. Every time I go to Alabama, it is a family atmosphere. I look forward to building relationships when I go there."

The latest offer continues West's rapid recruiting rise this spring. He also has offers from Mississippi State, Ole Miss, UCLA, Kentucky, Troy, South Alabama and Arkansas State.

"First off, I want to say it's an honor and a blessing to be looked at by any school," West said. "It's an amazing opportunity to get a quality education anywhere. I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without people like coach David Morris (of QB Country) and coach Kelly and my parents."

A 6-foot-3½, 210-pounder, West has never started a varsity game and backed up Louisiana-Lafayette signee Chris Weaver last year as Saraland finished as the Class 6A runner-up.

"I think if you watch Jack practice and watch him throw it and watch his fundamentals, it is pretty easy to see why he is receiving so much attention already," Kelly said recently.

Kelly starred at quarterback at Southern Miss before a brief stint in the NFL.

As a rising sophomore, West is a member of the Class of 2018. He said he doesn't think his rapid rise on the recruiting ranks at this early point in his high school career puts added pressure on him for the fall.

"I think there is a certain level of expectation I put on myself on the field and off the field," he said. "I have a lot of people around me, coaches and teammates and everyone. I have their back and they have mine. I know there is a level of expectation. I just try to get better every day and be the best person, first of all, and leader I can be."

West got in several games in mop-up duty last year, but he's expected to take over the starting quarterback job in 2015. His top target should be receiver Velus Jones, a senior who has committed to Southern Cal.

His camp stops are likely just starting. West said he will visit Ole Miss on Friday and then take a swing through California later this month with stops at Stanford, USC, UCLA and California.

Academics shouldn't be a problem for West at any point. He currently has a 4.5 GPA and said he has never made a "B." He said he wants to major in political science. He also said he is in no hurry to make a college decision.

"I am just going to be a bystander and watch what happens," he said. "I am at no point close to making a decision right now. I am just focused on doing what I can do to bring a title home to Saraland."

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Leatherwood

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Where are you seeing stuff about Leatherwood's camp performance?

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