Mike Dudek Commits To Illinois

Tim Beckman has the third commit of the 2014 class, and the first member at a skill position.

247Sports.com is reporting that Neuqua Valley receiver Mike Dudek has committed to the Illini.

The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Dudek and his 4.4 speed in the 40-yard dash make him one of the most explosive players in the state, which he backed up in the fall on Fridays to the tune of 46 receptions for 991 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also returned three kickoffs for scores and has a 38-inch vertical.

"I've been growing up watching them my whole life," Dudek said. "When I'm there, it just feels like I'm already part of the team."

I am in love with this news, honestly. Dudek is the kind of player that I think we need to land in Champaign consistently if we're going to start winning.

He might not be a headliner according to the scouting services -- both 247 and Rivals have him as a three-star, with 247 having him as the 28th best player in Illinois -- but he's done nothing but make plays in high school, and his 40 time is all you need to know about the kind of speed he could bring to the offense.

He's the kind of guy that could fit really nicely in the slot in Bill Cubit's offense.

While North Dakota was the only official offer Dudek had before Illinois, he was drawing interest from places like Arizona, Indiana, Iowa State, Northern Illinois and Wisconsin.

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