Academy grads will go to mini-BUDS and for a few months prior to classing up, but yes Academy shits will go straight to BUDS.
If your guys is going to the Academy, tell him to try out for water-polo, they have the highest grad rate.
He can also go ROTC, but BUDS is a tough billet for ROTC. Enlisted is the easiest route and least responsibility during class.
Also, ignore recruiters and most other advice. Get your guy in contact with a dive motivator (and there’s no such thing as UDT, that went away with Jesse the body. And certainly don’t hit the fleet for a few years prior to going out west.)
Just as a complete side note - The same was true at my High School. A survey was done of the GPAs of those in sports versus out. The average GPA of all people pursuing sports was higher than the average of those not in sports - even the Football team had a higher GPA. The Water Polo team had the highest average GPA. One of the guys on the H2O team that year went to Cal Tech. Now a PHd in EE from there.. so there may be something to it ;-)
“tell him to try out for water-polo”
Sure.
I will.
This guy is someone you’d want to train to be on your team.