Joel P. Makovicka (born October 6, 1975, in Brainard, Nebraska) is a former American football fullback who played for the Arizona Cardinals (1999–2002).

Joel Makovicka is one of the most decorated fullbacks in Husker history and owns the school record with 13 career touchdowns as a fullback for Nebraska from 1995 to 1998. During his stay at Nebraska, Makovicka was a two-time first-team academic All-American and three-time first-team academic All-Big 12 performer. He also was a member of three national championship teams. The younger brother of another Husker walk-on fullback from Brainard, Neb., Jeff Makovicka, Joel finished his career with 1,447 yards rushing on an average of 5.9 yards per carry while making 22 starts for the scarlet and cream. As a junior, he produced the fourth-highest rushing total by a fullback in school history with 685 yards. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft and started 10 games at fullback for the Cardinals as a rookie.^[1]