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Mikey Dudek Injury Update: Illinois wideout is hoping to play again in 2016

Good morning. Welcome to the Orange Minute for Monday, July 11.

By Jim Vainisi

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Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Fighting Illini receiver Mikey Dudek re-tore his left ACL back in April, but the sophomore remains optimistic for potential return this Fall. Dudek recently informed The News-Gazette that his surgically-repaired knee is doing better, and he "wants to play as soon as possible." Additionally, the interview mentions that 5-foot-11 wideout was cleared to start jogging late last week.

Now, The News-Gazette mentioned October 15 (at Rutgers) and October 22 (at Michigan) as hypothetical return dates under the ideal parameters that Dudek mentioned. But -- you guessed it -- that's absurdly optimistic. I can't recall any instances in which a football player returned 6 months after ACL surgery, let alone someone who's had the same injury in back-to-back years.

Do you think Dudek should attempt to play this season? Vote in the poll question, and let us know what you think in the comments section.

Illinois Fighting Illini Links

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To honor some of the players who have stood out during what hopefully soon becomes a bygone era of NCAA Tournament futility, we assembled a team of Bruce Weber/John Groce All-Stars from the past decade. Would they stand a chance against the 2004-05 squad in a hypothetical matchup?

- Josh Whitman's path to leadership (Indy Star)

Whitman's unrelenting drive, instilled long before he starred at Harrison High School or played in the NFL, helped him land his dream job ahead of schedule. Illinois, Whitman's alma mater, hired him in March to stabilize an athletic program thirsting for success in its marquee sports and bruised by legal issues.

- Three-star DE Olalere Oladipo cuts list to 6, includes Illinois (TCR)

Fighting Illini football has made the top six for three-star defensive end Olalere Oladipo. The Illinois native announced on Twitter that Duke, Michigan State, Penn State, Indiana, and California have also made the list.

- Meyers Leonard signs new 4-year, $41 million deal with Portland (TCR)

Leonard will make just over $10 million a season, a sharp upturn from his rookie deal, which paid him just over $3 million for his efforts this past season. Leonard had received a $4.2 million qualifying offer to lock him into restricted free agency for the summer, and talks between him and other teams never seemed to gain any traction.