In high school, Joel was an outstanding player for the Tigers and was selected 1st Team All-Area and 1st Team All-State multiple times as both a running back and linebacker. He finished his prep career with 3,933 rushing yards and school records in both season and career tackles (396). He was selected to play in the 1994 Shrine Bowl, and was also named the Most Valuable Offensive Player of the Eight Man All-Star Game that same year. From 1995 to 1998, Joel went to the University of Nebraska and became a key member of three National Championship Teams. In the process, he also became one of the most decorated fullbacks in team history and owns position records for touchdowns in a game, season, and career. He was a 2 time 1st Team Academic All-American, a 3 time 1st Team Academic All-Big 12, and was named team captain in 1998. Joel finished his Husker career with 1,447 yards rushing and was later selected to the Nebraska Football All Century Team. In 1999, he was drafted by the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals where he played for 4 seasons. The NEMFCA is honored to welcome him into the Eight Man Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019.