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Top 50 most important Illini: No. 43, Mike Epstein

Related Topics: Victor Oladipo, Mike Epstein

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No. 43: Mike Epstein, RB

Why he’s important: The loyalty he showed the program for nearly a two-year stretch should make him a fan favorite once he steps on the field. The incoming true freshman from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., initially committed to Illinois in August 2015, roughly three weeks before Tim Beckman was fired. He stayed committed to interim coach Bill Cubit throughout the 2015 season and did so again after Cubit was given the full-time position in November 2015. Then, after Cubit was fired in March 2016 and Lovie Smith hired two days later, stuck with Illinois throughout before signing his letter of intent this past February.