Ricky Town Transfers to Arkansas: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction

Quarterback Ricky Town was once a highly regarded member of the USC Trojans' 2015 recruiting class, but he transferred to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman.

Town was a 4-star recruit and rated as the No. 6 pro-style quarterback in the 2015 class, per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He verbally committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide during the recruitment process but eventually elected to enroll early at USC. Alas, he is now a member of the Razorbacks as their potential quarterback of the future.

The California native chose to stay close to home at USC, but the fact that the Trojans also brought in fellow quarterback Sam Darnold in the same recruiting class likely contributed to Town’s decision to transfer.

Garry Paskwietz of WeAreSC.com (h/t ESPN.com) commented on the youngster’s decision to leave USC and look for a new school:

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For a young man like Ricky who grew up as an USC fan, it appears from the outside looking in as if he didn't give himself a chance to live out that part of his dream. ... And at a school such as USC, Town not only found himself with another good quarterback in his own class but good quarterbacks ahead of him on the depth chart and more scheduled to arrive in the coming years.

It's also understandable if a big-time quarterback has at least one eye on a future professional career where the money being thrown around is substantial.

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There didn’t appear to be any ill will within the USC program when Town elected to leave even though there was a chance he could develop into a future star under center. Coach Steve Sarkisian understood Town made an individual decision with his future in mind, per Paskwietz:

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Everybody approaches it differently. It takes a certain type of make-up to envision three or four years down the road, it's not always about what is happening right now. Cody [Kessler] is a good example of that, he was third string once and now he's on the cover of every magazine in America. But hey, I transferred when I was in college so I don't judge anybody for staying or leaving, you have to make the decision that's in your best interest.

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USC’s loss is Arkansas' gain because Town has the makeup to be a collegiate star and eventual NFL quarterback.

His footwork in the pocket immediately jumps out on film because he can evade pressure, plant and fire downfield with his quick release all in one fluid motion. He also boasts a strong arm that will help him beat cornerbacks in single coverage once he sees the field.

Town probably won’t run for 100 yards a game, but he boasts impressive accuracy when throwing on the move and will keep drives alive with his ability to evade pass-rushers.

While Town will need to sit out a year because of NCAA transfer rules, starting quarterback Brandon Allen is a senior, meaning Town will have an excellent chance to earn the starting gig as a redshirt freshman. Given that there isn't a current front-runner to earn the position once Allen graduates, Town may have chosen Arkansas in part with the knowledge that he could potentially be starting next season.

From a pure talent perspective, Town is a future star in the making. Now all he has to do is prove it on the field for his new school.