Local five-star QB flips commitment to Trojans
With National Signing Day 2014 less than two weeks away, USC head coach Steve Sarkisian landed his first major recruit for the 2015 class when five-star quarterback Ricky Town (Ventura, Calif./ St. Bonaventure) verbally committed to the Trojans on Saturday.
Good start · Head coach Steve Sarkisian’s 2015 recruiting class received a huge boost with the addition of highly rated quarterback Ricky Town. – Ralf Cheung | Daily Trojan
Town, the No. 2-rated pocket passer –— and No. 9 overall junior prospect according to Rivals.com — decommitted from Alabama early Saturday morning and then gave his commitment to Sarkisian and the Trojans after making his second unofficial visit to USC in the evening.
He expressed his excitement in a text message to ESPN.com.
“I’m proud to be a part of the Trojan Family!” Town said. “I’ve seen many of the top programs and what they have to offer. However, when I had the chance to get on the USC campus last week and spend time with Coach Sarkisian and his staff, I knew after those meetings that USC is where I want to be. The coaches are upbeat, focused and committed to winning, and I completely believe in them. I chose USC because of the tradition, the academics and the incredible coaching staff. This is an amazing opportunity to be a part of something really special. Fight On!”
After verbally pledging to Alabama head coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide last August, Town had reportedly been rethinking his commitment for a number of reasons, including the departure of offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, who left to take the same position at Michigan.
Coincidentally, Saban hired former USC head coach Lane Kiffin to be Nussmeier’s replacement.
As a Southern California native playing in USC’s backyard, Town is a huge catch for Sarkisian and the USC coaching staff as they continue to build the foundation for the 2015 recruiting class.
The 6-foot-4, 190-lb. Town also received offers to play for Arizona State, Florida State, Georgia, Texas and Miami. The highly touted recruit’s services have been in high demand, in part due to his great throwing arm and speed, unofficially recording a time of 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.
The future appears to be promising for the Trojans at the quarterback position, as Town will eventually join former Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Max Browne, who will be returning next season as a redshirt freshman. Jalen Greene, an early enrollee from the 2014 class with a dual-threat playing style, will also add to USC’s depth at the position.