Two primary actions are involved when a team rises in the 247Sports team recruiting rankings.
1: Commitment list action (prospects committing or de-committing from a school)
2: 247Sports Composite rankings updates (when the recruiting industry updates prospect rankings and those on commit lists have rankings rise and fall)
Of late, it has been the former that has caused four programs to rise within the top 25. Here’s a look.
No. 1 -- South Carolina (+13)
It was a big weekend for the Gamecocks on the recruiting trail as two four-star prospects committed after taking unofficial visits to Columbia. Cornerback Mark Fields (Cornelius, N.C./Hough) committed Saturday and offensive tackle Paris Palmer (Lackawanna, Pa./Community College on Sunday. Fields is the No. 11 cornerback prospect nationally for the 2015 cycle according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Palmer, a 6-foot-8, 280-pounder who is originally from Plymouth, N.C. is the No. 10 overall junior college prospect. South Carolina moved up to No. 11 nationally in the team rankings as a result of these commits.
No. 2 -- North Carolina (+11)
The Tar Heels scored a huge commitment when one of the nation’s top tight end prospects, Chris Clark (Avon, Conn./Avon Old Farms) picked UNC ahead of dozens of scholarship offers. The 6-foot-6, 247-pound Clark is the No. 3 tight end prospect nationally according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. North Carolina also picked up a commitment from in-state three-star cornerback Corey Bell (Cornelius, N.C./Hough). The Tar Heels are now No. 21 nationally in the 247Sports team rankings.
No. 3 -- Texas (+6)
Charlie Strong and staff now have nine commitments and the current No. 1 class in the Big 12 for 2015 after touted offensive tackle Toby Weathersby (Houston, Texas/Westfield) jumped on board during the weekend. The 6-foot-4.5, 295-pound Weathersby is the No. 15 offensive tackle prospect in the 2015 class according to 247Sports Composite rankings. Weathersby’s pledge came on the heels of safety Deshon Elliott (Rockwall, Texas/Rockwall-Heath) committing last week. The Longhorns now are No. 5 in the 247Sports team rankings.
No. 4 -- Brigham Young (+4)
The Cougars moved up to No. 23 nationally in the 247Sports team rankings by landing talented dual-threat quarterback Kimane Domena (Portland, Ore./School of Wellness). The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has a good arm and can make things happen with his feel. He gives BYU five commits for the 2015 cycle and is a big one- he ranks as the No. 2 overall prospect in Oregon this cycle.
