USC commit Ricky Town is labeled as a key building block for new head coach Steve Sarkisian.
However, Town would like to be known as an active builder, too.
The ESPN 300 quarterback is currently rated No. 2 among pocket passers in the 2015 class. He’s competitive enough that he’d like to overtake No. 1-rated Josh Rosen in the coming months, but being known as the top recruiter out West might be far more important to the 6-foot-4, 190-pound Town.
“I talk to a lot of different kids,” Town said. “Coach Clay Helton and other coaches have given me a list of recruits to target. The two I’m really going after are Iman Marshall of Long Beach Poly and Christian Kirk from Arizona.
“It’s their decision. Ultimately it’s their life, so I’m not really going to tell them to come to USC, but I do try to build a relationship with them and be friends with them first. I tell them USC is a very special place to be at.”
Town has been a frequent visitor to USC since backing away from his pledge to Alabama in late January, accompanying friends and fellow recruits. The Ventura (Calif.) Saint Bonaventure junior dropped by the USC campus again on Tuesday to see the Trojans kick off spring practice, which features yet another quarterback battle this year between Cody Kessler and Max Browne and the addition of mid-year enrollee Jalen Greene.
“All three of those guys are great quarterbacks, but I’m coming in to compete for the spot,” Town said. “The coaches haven’t told me anything about another quarterback in this 2015 class. They say I’m their guy.”
The level of competition at USC did not dissuade Town from committing. He’s quick to point out the Trojans’ future, as well as the school’s reputation, whenever he manages to get another recruit’s attention.
“The coaches definitely pitch on education, which is second to none,” Town said. “That’s something that stood out to me. It’s a first-class education, and getting a degree from USC is something that’s recognized worldwide. They also talk about what they’re going to be doing as a program. They’re on the rise already, especially with getting all of their scholarships back. That’s definitely something that’s going to help a lot.”
It also might not hurt to have a centerpiece such as Town lending a hand.