Illinois Wrestling: Jesse Delgado to return Friday, per report

Jesse Delgado is finally coming back.

The two-time defending national champion at 125 will make is much anticipated return from injury against Maryland on Friday at Huff Hall, reports WDWS' Brian Moline.

There had been earlier reports that Delgado would return Sunday against Northwestern, but he opted to make his 2015 debut in front of the home crowd.

Maryland's redshirt junior Josh Polacek will likely be Delgado's opponent Friday.

Delgado became Illinois' first back-to-back national champion in 56 years last March. The three-time All-American is 2-0 on the season and has not wrestle since the Illini quad on Nov. 9.

During the quad, he posted a fall against SIU-Edwardsville's Kenny Baldridge in 6:35 and a 22-5 technical fall over Rider's J.R. Wert.

Despite being out with an injury for most of the season, Delgado has held the top ranking at 125.

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