Technology helps Tim Beckman's early recruiting

Beckman attributes part of Illinois' early recruiting success for 2013 -- the Illini have nine verbal commits, the third most in the Big Ten behind national leader Michigan (18) and Ohio State (11) -- to the benefits of technology.

"It's been unbelievable, the change because of technology," Beckman told ESPN.com on Thursday before an appearance on the Illinois Coaches Caravan in the Chicago suburbs. "With the iPad and Vudu or Tango or Skype, what used to be a phone call is now a visual. What we can do when we're talking to them, with the backgrounds [at Illinois' facilities] and different things. Players want to see themselves."

Beckman credits his assistants for the fast start to 2013 recruiting, which included a verbal from heralded quarterback prospect Aaron Bailey. The Illini have had just one verbal commit by this date in each of the past two years.

Rittenberg