CHAMPAIGN – Ron Turner's shopping bag is half full. And he still has more than seven weeks left before college football's version of Christmas: national signing day.

The second-year Illinois coach spent the weekend at "the mall." Thirteen possible recruits are visiting with Turner and his Illinois staff.

The Illini have added three more recruits to the list: Lincolnshire Stevenson offensive lineman Chris Rucks, St. Louis Beaumont wide receiver Lance Young and El Camino (Calif.) College defensive back Trayvon Waller.

That gives the Illini 12 commitments and leaves 13 spots open.

Rucks made his official trip this weekend to the Illinois campus. He attended Saturday's Illinois-Eastern Illinois men's basketball game with 12 other players.

The Illini continue to recruit locally. Argenta-Oreana's Mike Saunches and Rantoul's Sean Bubin were among the weekend visitors.

Illinois already has commitments from two area players. Rantoul wide receiver/defensive back Dwayne Smith picked the school during the summer. Centennial quarterback Dustin Ward recently agreed to join the Illini.

Saunches is being recruited as a tight end. Bubin is an offensive lineman.

"Any time a Big Ten institution shows interest in you, you have to be a little flattered by that," said Tom Saunches, Mike's father.

Mike Saunches, a three-sport athlete, is also thinking about playing college baseball. The first baseman has heard from several Big Ten and state baseball programs.

"He's in a difficult spot because a lot of the baseball recruiting's done in the spring," Tom Saunches said. "That's tough."

Of the first 12 players to commit, nine are considered primarily offensive players. Illinois doesn't have a commitment yet from a tight end.

Proviso East star Philip Macklin, the Chicago Sun-Times player of the year, visits Illinois next weekend. Macklin has a trip scheduled for Connecticut after Christmas. Michigan State and Iowa also are interested.

"I don't know still," Macklin said.

Macklin said Illinois is high on his list.

"Right about now, for the U of I there would be a big chance," Macklin said.

Connecticut just lost coach Skip Holtz, who is joining his father, Lou, at South Carolina. Macklin said the coaching change doesn't bother him.

And Macklin isn't worried about Illinois' 3-8 record.

"They've got a lot of upcoming talent," Macklin said.

His mother has a rooting interest. She wants Macklin to stay close to home.

"You have to listen to Mom sometimes," Macklin said.

Macklin's biggest task is to make sure he is academically eligible.

He scored a 15 the first time he took the ACT, below the qualifying mark. Macklin plans to take the test again. His classwork is "coming along."

Macklin is willing to attend a school as a partial or nonqualifier. He has talked with college coaches and his parents about the possibility.

Even after he picks a college, Macklin isn't sure what position he will play. Some schools have talked to him about receiver. Others mention linebacker. Others like him as a running back. He is willing to try all three.

"I'd just like to move around," Macklin said. "Wherever the coach says to play, I'll play."