After arriving at the University of Southern California (USC) this summer for his freshman football season, Ricky Town decided the Trojans' offense was not right for him and chose to transfer.
On Friday, he told ESPN he chose the University of Arkansas.
"Coach (Bret) Bielema is a great person," Town said. "I want to be a person like him. This is the first time my family had been to Arkansas and it was great. We fell in love with the place."
Between electing to transfer and settling on Arkansas, Town took a mini-tour of SEC country, as ESPN reported he was in "contact with Florida and Alabama." Bielema and his staff's approach to the Razorbacks' offense sold him.
"They said the quarterback is like a coach on the field," Town told ESPN. "Not just simple reads. There are a lot of protections and it's really a chess game. I want to be like a point guard on the field."
Due to NCAA transfer rules Town will have to sit out this season, but is expected to compete for the starting position next summer after fifth-year senior Brandon Allen leaves. Town was likely going to have to wait to have a shot at starting for USC, as he was blocked this year by the Heisman-hopeful Cody Kessler.
"It wasn't an easy decision. It was close to home. But ultimately my family and friends supported my decision, and that's what's important to me," Town told ESPN. "If I was going to transfer, I wanted to do it immediately as to not lose two years of eligibility.
"I'm excited to compete and to help Arkansas win games. It's a long journey."
