Ricky Town to Transfer From USC

The Ricky Town era at USC has been grounded before it could take flight. According to a report originally stemming from Demetric Warren of Varsity Preps, the four-star freshman quarterback is transferring.

Town is not at practice Sunday. Head coach Steve Sarkisian will speak to the media later this afternoon, giving him the opportunity to officially confirm the transfer.

Town was Steve Sarkisian’s second quarterback commit since being hired in December 2013, right after 2014 early enrollee Jalen Greene, who has since become a wide receiver.

A former Alabama commit, Town flipped to the Trojans last January and was a big part of USC’s No. 1 recruiting class in 2015, actively recruiting other players.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Ventura native grew up a USC fan and attended practices when he was younger, which makes such an incredibly early transfer perplexing. However, it’s certainly possible that there were signs on the wall for Town.

With him gone, the Trojans’ future at quarterback beyond starter-in-waiting Max Browne seems to lie fully in the hands of the other 2015 freshman, Sam Darnold.

Through the first week of practice, Darnold has been one of the team’s most impressive players.

More specifically, he seemingly had already closed the gap on Town in the battle for the No. 3 job, despite Town having enrolled early and participated in spring camp.

Back on Signing Day, Sarkisian spoke at length about the intangibles that Darnold brought to the Trojans, with his both his arm and legs, while praising the loyalty of Town.

FLASHBACK: Steve Sarkisian Breaks Down 2015 Recruiting Class

After Darnold, the Trojans have a verbal commitment from 2016 quarterback Matt Fink, and are pursuing highly touted 2017 quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Tate Martell.

Of those five, Town was the only traditional pocket passer.

Needless to say, Town is the first casualty of USC’s 27-man 2015 recruiting class. The Trojans will not get that initial scholarship counter back, which is unfortunate, as Steve Sarkisian has been actively looking to increase numbers with blueshirt scholarships.

Town is also the second product of St. Bonaventure to be in the news in the last week, following USC’s declaration that Bryce Dixon cannot play football.

Other St. Bonnie’s grads who left USC before significantly seeing the field include five-star busts Whitney Lewis and Patrick Hall.

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