If you hate voice mail, better avoid calling the Illinois football office.

The lights are on but almost nobody's home.

Seven from the Illinois staff, including head coach Ron Turner, have scattered across the country in search of the next Robert Holcombe or Simeon Rice.

The Illini are after players from California, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio and Oregon. They are looking at blockers, catchers, runners and defenders.

Bob Beatty's got a little bit of everything for Illinois. The Blue Springs (Mo.) coach has one of the best running backs in the Midwest (Jamar Mozee). He has a top-rated defensive lineman (John Garrison). He has a cornerback ready to play tomorrow (Brandon Lloyd).

The Illini want all three. Beatty said Lloyd is making an official visit to Champaign-Urbana. He isn't sure about Mozee and Garrison.

During the summer, Beatty brought his team to Illinois' seven-on-seven tournament. That made a good impression on the Blue Springs players and gave the Illini a chance.

"They've always treated us with the utmost respect when we go there," Beatty said.

Illinois tight ends and special teams coach Greg McMahon handles Missouri recruiting. Beatty likes McMahon and so do the Blue Springs players.

Beatty expected a visit today from a Missouri assistant. Kansas came in on Tuesday. Other schools will drift in during the next few weeks.

"I was actually more swamped last spring than what we are right now," Beatty said. "I was seeing three or four guys a day."

Including McMahon. The schools knew about Garrison, Lloyd and Mozee after their junior seasons and didn't wait to make contact with Beatty.

During the summer, Beatty said he hoped they would play like Division I players as seniors. None of the three disappointed him.

Mozee gained 1,809 yards and scored 34 touchdowns in 10 games. Garrison led the team in tackles. Lloyd had six interceptions, scored six touchdowns as a receiver and averaged 37 yards a punt.

Listen to the folks in Blue Springs, and you might think the only one who messed up was Beatty. The school went 7-3, its worst season in 10 years.

"At 7-3 in Blue Springs, you're lucky you're talking to me," Beatty said. "I should be in the unemployment line."

When the season ended, the Blue Springs seniors started thinking about college. Twelve from the graduating class will play at some level, Beatty said.

Garrison, Mozee and Lloyd are national recruits. Garrison and Mozee plan to visit Miami. Kansas State, Notre Dame, Michigan and Nebraska all are interested.

"I think the best thing for those guys is to find a fit," Beatty said.

They want to play early, which works in Illinois' favor. They don't mind redshirting, which works in favor of the national powers.

"They have very, very tight families," Beatty said. "I don't think those families are going to want to travel 15 hours to watch their sons play."

Traveling far for school isn't a problem for Charles Roberson. The defensive lineman from Fairburn (Ga.) Creekside plans to visit Illinois Dec. 11-13.

Roberson also is interested in Tennessee, Georgia and Georgia Tech.

So, how did Illinois make the cut? Family ties.

Roberson's uncle is former Chicago Bears great Richard Dent, who played with current Illinois assistant Leslie Frazier.

Roberson averaged three sacks a game as a junior. Opponents wised up and are running away from him this season.

"Pass rush, that's what he does best," Creekside coach Amos McCreary said.

McCreary hopes Roberson puts off his Illinois visit a week or two. Creekside is in the state quarterfinals Friday, and another win will force Roberson to reschedule his trip.

Springfield (Ohio) North's Ty Myers is making his official visit to Illinois on Saturday. The versatile Myers has a basketball game Friday night.

"He's a real athletic kid," Springfield North coach Brian Blevins said.

Blevins used Myers at quarterback, linebacker and defensive back. He likely will play strong safety in college but could bulk up and become a tight end.

Myers made an unofficial visit to Illinois for the Indiana game.

"I like the atmosphere," Myers said. "I think I'd get a chance to play early at Illinois."

Besides Illinois, Myers has offers from Michigan State, West Virginia, Pitt, Syracuse and Kentucky.

Another Ohio player, Chillicothe's Obadiah Harris, could help fill Illinois' linebacker need. Harris lists Illinois among his top choices, along with West Virginia and Ohio University.

"Obadiah's one of the better kids we've had," Chillicothe coach Bill Dennis said.

Illinois also is looking for linebackers in Michigan. Howell's Travis Wilson is weighing offers from Illinois, Michigan State, Purdue and Eastern Michigan.

Wilson finished second on the team in tackles and gained 500 yards as a fullback. He also worked as the team's kicker and kick returner.