Connecticut football star Joel Budd went from 380 to 315 pounds and the offers followed: Mike Anthony

ENFIELD - Joel Budd received his first major college football scholarship offer in the summer of 2024. He was 15 years old, standing 6 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 380 pounds. "I just had to look myself in the mirror," Budd said, recalling his reaction to getting that call from a member of the Syracuse coaching staff. "I got the offer and I was like, 'If this is something I want to do, I have to get my body right.' That was my biggest goal, to get my body right." Budd, a junior left tackle at Enfield High and one…