New Illinois football coach Tim Beckman's first signing class is heavy on skill-position players and includes five defensive backs and three running backs.

The 19-player class was rated among the weakest in the Big Ten by recruiting-ranking services. Rivals.com rated the class last among the 12 conference schools.

Illinois said in a news release Wednesday that the running backs include Dami Ayoola of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Devin Church of Southfield, Mich.

Illinois is expected to be thin at running back after the departures of seniors Jason Ford and Troy Pollard.