CHAMPAIGN — Illinois football coach Tim Beckman had only 53 days to put together his first recruiting class.

But, the first-year coach didn’t want to overemphasize the struggles — instead he wanted to focus on the players that the Fighting Illini did secure on Wednesday.

Beckman’s first class of freshmen, heavy on running backs and defensive backs, totaled 19 players.

“We basically had two weekends in which we were in school,’’ said Beckman of this recruiting process at Illinois. “I’m proud of how this staff got out and around the state and Illini nation, which is a five-hour radius around Champaign.

“We were in search of players, in a short amount of time that fit what we want in an Illini football player.’’

According to Beckman, 13 of his 19 came from inside of that target area, including Vontrell Williams, a defensive lineman from Chicago Mount Carmel.

Williams, a three-star recruit, was the No. 16-rated player in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com.

And while his effort on the field is being recognized in his ranking, he also had a big hand in helping put this class together, according to Beckman.

“He was one of the first young men to commit to the previous staff and we put this recruiting class in Vontrell’s hands,’’ Beckman said. “We told him, ‘you want to be known your senior year and known as a winner, we need your help.’

“He did an excellent job of reaching out and being involved in the process.’’

Williams was one of four players from the Chicago-land area to sign with Illinois on Wednesday.

Joining him were Bolingbrook offensive lineman Robbie Bain, Lincoln-Way West defensive back B.J. Bello and wide receiver J.J. Robertson of Lincoln-Way East.

“We got in a little late,’’ said Beckman of the top Chicago recruits that signed with other schools. “We contacted everyone in this state to see if they would be interested.

“We were running a little behind on the clock, but I’m, proud of the way that we got these (four) players.’’

Bain and Robertson are three-star recruits by Scout.com, while Bello is a two-star recruit.

Unlike years past, the Illini did not sign anyone higher than a three-star recruit as they got 16 rated with three stars and the other three were two stars.

“This group will be determined on how well they perform two, three four years from now,’’ said Beckman, who pointed out his first class at Toledo didn’t receive very high rankings either.

“Those guys have played and won a lot of football games,’’ Beckman said. “There have been numerous football players that I’ve coached throughout my years that have won awards, and they were rated two stars.

“The star is only rated after their college career.’’

What Beckman liked the most about his first class at Illinois was their success on the football field.

He pointed out that the 19 players set to join the Illini program have played in 163 high-school playoff games, seven of them have played for state championships and four of them claimed state titles.

“I think it’s important to surround yourself with winners,’’ he said. “That’s what I’ve done with our staff and that’s how we attack our recruiting.

“These guys know what it takes. It might have been taught in high school. It might have been taught by their parents. (It) might have been taught in pee wee leagues. Whatever it was, they were taught to win.’’

Beckman’s first class did not include a quarterback, but he pointed out that Illinois has four underclassmen returning including last year’s starter Nathan Scheelhaase and freshman Reilly O’Toole, who played in 10 games.