OrangeandBlueNews.com columnist John Supinie spoke to Illini wide receiver Mike Dudek, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in the spring.

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CHAMPAIGN – Sitting on a local lake for some fishing during some off time in the spring, Mike Dudek and the Illini football team reeled in the big fish.

That’s when he saw Twitter blowing up. Lovie Smith could be the next Illini coach.

“It was surreal,’’ Dudek said.

Then less than a month into the Smith era, Dudek suffered another surreal experience. After returning from a torn ACL suffered in spring drills in 2015, Dudek injured the same ACL on the same knee in spring practice in April.

He wondered if his career ended before it could really take off.

“I didn’t know if I wanted to play football again,’’ Dudek said.

Four months later, the native of Naperville returned to the team after surgery in mid-April, and he’s working his way back toward the playing field. It will take some time. It’s no less than a 6 month process, and Dudek will most likely miss the season while recovering mentally and physically from the major injury.

While he’s close to being cleared for the lateral movement that’s the last of the rehabilitation steps toward a return, Dudek is also working on rebuilding the confidence to return to the game. This injury, he said, is harder to rebound from than the first one.

The knee will get some reinforcement from a brace from here on out. For Dudek’s morale, he will summon confidence from treatment by one of the leaders in ACL reconstruction, his teammates and even his Mom.

Yet he’s standing on the sidelines as Smith leads the Illini through preseason camp while inching toward the season opener against Murray State on Sept. 3. For a Bears fan, it’s tearing hole in Dudek’s heart to miss the rebirth under the coach who guided the Bears to the Super Bowl in 2006.

“It was tough,’’ Dudek said. “I was here for a month with coach Lovie. I was able to work out and showcase what I can do. I thought that was pretty sweet. I’m from the Chicago area. Lovie Smith is a household name up there. When he got hired, friends were texting me, ‘How cool is that?’ My friends’ dad were texting me.

“After getting hurt, I met with coach a couple times now. He’s done a good job of keeping my spirits up, talking about some players who have gone through similar injuries.’’

From here’s it’s up to Dudek to get back on the field where he quickly became a favorite target of quarterback Wes Lunt. The Nequa Valley High School graduate earned second team all-Big Ten in 2014 after setting Illinois single-season freshman records with 1,038 receiving yards and 76 receptions. He tied the school mark for a freshman with six touchdown receptions.

Dudek led the Big Ten with 50 receptions and 716 yards receiving during conference play.

The question last season was when – or if – Dudek would return. This time, there’s no rushing the 5-foot-11, 195-pounder who will wear a brace in the future on the injured knee. Just as important as the rehabilitation on the knee that went under the knife on April 12, Dudek must regain confidence in his ability to cut, run and jump on the knee.

He’s not there yet, he said earlier this week.

“It’s more mental versus physical,’’ Dudek said. “Physically, I’m getting back to 100 percent. It’s getting back over the mental barrier. Mentally, (the first injury) wasn’t as bad as this one. I had gotten back to 100 percent. I was jumping higher, running faster. This one is more mental. I’m thinking, I just made a cut and it tore. I’m kind of timid to do it again. I just have to know it won’t give out on me this time.’’

When he first suffered the injury during spring drills in April, Dudek was hesitant about getting an MRI. The Illini medical staff didn’t think the ACL was damaged following the second injury.

“I wasn’t going to get the MRI,’’ Dudek said. “I knew that something was wrong. I got the MRI, and it was partially torn.’’

Dudek went to Dr. James Andrews for the second surgery. Andrews’ list of patients is a Who’s Who on the American sports scene. He’s worked on both Mannings, Peyton and Eli, plus Todd Gurley, Robert Griffin III, Reggie Bush and Todd Gurley, just to name a few. Want more? How about Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Roger Clemens, Drew Brees and Rob Gronkowski.

“All those big name guys,’’ Dudek said. “Somebody like me, I thought it was really cool he treated me with respect.’’

And his words helped Dudek rebound mentally.

“He was very confident, saying I would get back to 100 percent,’’ Dudek said. “He’s excited for me. To hear words like that from someone like that, it gives you a boost. He’s seen it all.’’

Dudek’s first surgery was performed by athletic department doctors, and they were also the doctors who determined when he was ready to return. Andrews will call the shots this time, and Dudek will likely make a trip soon to see him face-to-face in Andrews’ office in Pensacola, Fla.

For now, Dudek just wants to be one of the guys, even if he’s on the sidelines. He’s asked receivers coach Andrew Hayes-Stoker and offensive coordinator Garrick McGee to keep him involved.

“Last year when I got hurt, I felt like an outcast,’’ Dudek said. “I asked, ‘Can you make sure that I’m not in the plays but that I’m around it? Keep me around and making sure I know the plays, testing me on the plays. Coach Stoker has been awesome. He’s allowed me to coach the guys a little bit, too. It’s given me a purpose through all of this.’’

Sophomore receiver Desmond Cain sometimes doesn’t want to answer the phone, even if it’s late at night. It might be Dudek on the other end of the line with a pop quiz.

“It might be 12 at night,’’ Cain said. “He’ll tell me to get in the playbook, and he’ll have a question for me tomorrow. He understands the offense even though he’s not out there practicing.’’

Dudek is still one of the guys. If he can bounce back physically and mentally, he’s more than just one of the guys.

John Supinie is a columnist for Orangeandbluenews.com. During the day, he’s an Audi Brand Specialist at Green Audi in Springfield. Call or text him at 217-377-1977 if you’re looking for an Audi, Volkswagen, Toyota or preowned car. Ask for the Illini deal.