Joel Budd’s transformation from a 380-pound teenager into a 315-pound junior left tackle has caught the attention of multiple Division I college football programs. At 6-foot-8 and weighing 315 pounds, Budd, who plays for Enfield High School in Connecticut, has scholarship offers from Syracuse, Wake Forest, UConn, and UMass, with other major programs such as Penn State, UCLA, and Tennessee showing strong interest.
Budd received his first major offer in the summer of 2024 when he was just 15 years old and weighed 380 pounds. The call from Syracuse’s coaching staff prompted a hard look in the mirror. "If this is something I want to do, I have to get my body right," Budd said. Since then, he has dedicated himself to reshaping his physique and his game.
He has maintained his height but trimmed down to a more manageable 315 pounds, improving his mobility and technique. Budd now bench presses his body weight and deadlifts 600 pounds. He wears a size 18 shoe and remains athletic, able to dunk a basketball during pickup games and play attack on Enfield’s lacrosse team in the spring. Budd began playing football in seventh grade but has evolved into a more refined and polished player who carries both size and skill.
Enfield coach James Lyver has known Budd’s family for years and saw the player grow from a big, physical kid into a serious prospect. "Joel is a special blend of the hard work, the commitment and dedication – and those natural gifts you just can't teach," Lyver said. The coach noted that college recruiters started calling after Budd’s freshman and sophomore years, impressed by his combination of size and work ethic.
Budd’s recruitment process has accelerated to the point where he hired an agency, 77NineNine from Florida, in July 2024 to manage communications and college visits. His mother, Megan, and coach Lyver help organize conversations with interested programs. Budd’s recruitment now involves official visits, contract discussions, and potential name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
The pressure to mature quickly is clear. Lyver said, "You're 14, 15 years old and talking about, ‘You have a chance to do this, a chance to do that.’ Fourteen-year-olds want to go to the fair, hang out with their buddies, ride bikes, play video games. I think it speeds up the maturity process." Budd himself sometimes lies awake wondering about his future: "Where will I be in two years?" Yet he balances this with a typical teenage life, fishing, golf, and hanging out with friends.
Budd’s football journey has been geographically varied. He grew up in Enfield, moved to Somers in fourth grade, and started organized football in middle school in Simsbury before playing eighth grade in Springfield, Massachusetts. He fell in love with the sport then, realizing he was above average and could have a future in football. Budd spent his freshman year at Somers High playing for the Somers-Stafford co-op team before moving back to Enfield for his sophomore year. He earned all-state honors both seasons.
Though he plays defensive tackle as well, Budd is being recruited primarily as a left tackle, a position described by Lyver as "the pillar of an entire offense." The coach explained that teams want to run behind a lineman like Budd and feel confident in pass protection on his side of the line. Lyver expects Budd’s recruiting interest to grow significantly after this season.
In the age of digital scouting, Budd’s game film is widely available to college coaches. His mother manages his social media accounts, where coaches contact him directly. Lyver fields calls from programs seeking more information beyond physical attributes—how Budd performs in the classroom, his behavior in practice, and his approach to workouts off the field.
Budd made his season debut for Enfield on September 24 after missing two games with a right foot injury. Enfield lost at home to Glastonbury, but Budd’s return adds a strong presence to the offensive line. As the recruitment heats up, Budd continues to juggle the demands of a high-profile football career with the everyday challenges of being a teenager.
According to Yahoo Sports.
