I’ve written many blog posts about the spectacular recruiting class of 2014 led by such stars as Leonard Fournette, Jabrill Peppers, Sony Michel, Christian McCaffrey, Nick Chubb, Dalvin Cook and so many others. The 2014 class probably had as many top running backs as any that I can remember and I follow recruiting pretty closely.

But, that recruiting class was more than just running backs, it was deep at defensive end, offensive tackle and wide receivers as well. Such standouts as Myles Garrett, Lorenzo Carter, Solomon Thomas, Derek Barnett, Adoree Jackson  and Cam Robinson also filled this class to make it one of the best of all time.

All the talk on the first Wednesday in February, which has almost always been national signing day centered around certain future stars and how well all the schools did. LSU fans were excited after signing the top overall player in the class, Leonard Fournette. Michigan grabbed the number two guy in Jabrill Peppers. Georgia had two of the top ten running backs in the country and the excitement

was building with recruiting fans.

But, absolutely nobody was talking about the 119th ranked wide receiver in the country. There was no discussion about how Illinois helped themselves on signing day by the addition of 5-11, 165 Mike Dudek of Naperville, Illinois. Not only was he not very big, he was also not overly fast with a listed 40 time of 4.61.

Just imagine the surprise in the 2014 season when some barely ranked kid from a Chicago suburb named Dudek hauled in 76 passes for 1,038 yards and 6 touchdowns. Of all the crazy talented recruits in this class, Mike Dudek would rise to the top and make freshman All American.

Occasionally, a star player will come along and have some success and then get into some trouble off the field. That was not Mike Dudek. He was all about football and working hard to get better at football.

Mike Dudek injured his knee and missed all of the 2015 season. No problem, Dudek was a hard worker and he would work his way back to his 2014 form.

But, that was not to be, either. He was injured again in 2016 and was forced to miss the entire 2016 season.

There was still hope and Dudek had the work ethic to make it back bigger, stronger, faster than he was before.

The 2017 season came along and Dudek was back out there. Dudek played in the first 6 games, before having to miss the Minnesota game. He came back in game 8 and caught 3 passes against a good Wisconsin team. But, then, his season was over after 24 receptions.
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Mike Dudek was no quitter.

He worked it like no other and he was better. He was bigger, stronger and faster and ready to get back out on the field.

Illinois and head coach Lovie Smith opened up the season at home against a resilient little Kent State team. Before going through some struggles, the Illini finally prevailed beating the Kent State Golden Flashes, 31-24.

Dudek caught 4 passes for 65 yards.

But, Dudek also injured his knee and was lost for the season yet one more time.

You have to think this was the last time for Mike Dudek. He could apply for a 6th year, and he would get it. But, that would be like asking for more punishment.

The NFL was probably never in the works for Dudek. He was a good player when healthy and ran great, clean routes and had the great hands. But, the lack of size and great speed, plus numerous injury problems were always going to be against him.

I’ve never met Mike Dudek, but my heart goes out to the young man because of all that he’s been through. Missing a season with a serious injury is tough, but Dudek missed 3 and 1/2 seasons in 5 years. His entire college experience was about rehabbing his knees. He was a talented kid that could have helped the Fighting Illini at a position of need.

Mike Dudek deserves our respect for a lot of reasons. You have to admire his heart, his work ethic, his resilience and his talent among many other things.

I don’t know what the future holds for Dudek, but whatever he chooses to do with his life, I feel he will be very good at it.