The challenge for new head coach Tim Beckman, as it is for most in his situation, is to keep as much of the current class intact as possible while also making up ground on the recruiting trail and building on the class where it is still lacking. Beckman and his staff have earned several commitments since taking over the coaching duties, and they may not be finished just yet.
Related: Illinois Football Recruiting: RB Devin Church Switches Commitment From Northern Illinois To Illini
One prospect they would like to add to their 2012 class on national signing day is offensive lineman Johnny Caspers, who was a Stanford commitment at one time. Caspers, a three-star prospect according to Rivals.com, visited Illinois recently and earned a scholarship offer.
As for the prospects currently on board, they are listed below:
| Name | Pos | Location | Ht | Wt | Star Rating |
Rivals Rating | Committed | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BJ Bello | DB | New Lenox, IL | 6'2" | 205 | 2 stars | 5.4 | 1/29/12 | ||
| Mike Svetina | LB | Brunswick, OH | 6'2" | 220 | 3 stars | 5.5 | 1/29/12 | ||
| Devin Church | RB | Southfield, MI | 5'8" | 175 | 3 stars | 5.6 | 1/22/12 | ||
| Justin Hardee | ATH | Cleveland, OH | 6'1" | 185 | 2 stars | 5.4 | 1/22/12 | ||
| Jevaris Little | DB | St. Petersburg, FL | 6'1" | 180 | 3 stars | 5.5 | 1/22/12 | ||
| T.J. Neal | LB | McKeesport, PA | 6'1" | 225 | 3 stars | 5.7 | 1/15/12 | ||
| Teko Powell | DT | Miami, FL | 6'2" | 285 | 3 stars | 5.6 | 1/5/12 | ||
| Ryan Frain | K | Indianapolis, IN | 6'1" | 210 | 2 stars | 5.3 | 12/21/11 | ||
| Mason Monheim | LB | Orrville, OH | 6'1" | 215 | 3 stars | 5.5 | 12/19/11 | ||
| Dami Ayoola | RB | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 5'10" | 201 | 3 stars | 5.7 | 11/24/11 | ||
| Robbie Bain | OL | Bolingbrook, IL | 6'3" | 300 | 3 stars | 5.6 | 11/16/11 | ||
| Vontrell Williams | DT | Chicago, IL | 6'2" | 275 | 3 stars | 5.7 | 9/16/11 | ||
| Taylor Barton | DB | Orlando, FL | 6'1" | 200 | 3 stars | 5.5 | 8/7/11 | ||
| Joey Warburg | OL | Louisville, KY | 6'5" | 255 | 3 stars | 5.5 | 7/24/11 | ||
| Joseph Spencer | OL | Mason, OH | 6'4" | 270 | 3 stars | 5.7 | 7/14/11 | ||
| TaJarvis Fuller | DB | Fort Myers, FL | 6'1" | 185 | 3 stars | 5.6 | 6/15/11 | ||
| Jason Robertson | WR | Mokena, IL | 6'1" | 185 | 2 stars | 5.4 | 5/12/11 | ||
| Elliot Faerber | WR | Shawnee Mission, KS | 6'5" | 208 | 3 stars | 5.5 | 3/16/11 |
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago, and for more in-depth Illinois recruiting coverage, visit Hail to the Orange. Click on the link for more on National Signing Day 2012.