Joe Hjelle

BLOOMINGTON, IN - September 05, 2026 - defensive lineman Joe Hjelle #90 of the Indiana Hoosiers during the game between the North Texas Mean Green and the Indiana Hoosiers at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - August 25, 2026 - defensive lineman Joe Hjelle #90 of the Indiana Hoosiers and offensive lineman Carter Smith #65 of the Indiana Hoosiers during practice at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Dani Meersman/Indiana Athletics

BLOOMINGTON, IN - August 14, 2026 - defensive lineman Joe Hjelle #90 of the Indiana Hoosiers during practice at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. Photo By Sophia Kaplan/Indiana Athletics

Photo by: Sophia Kaplan/Indiana Athletics

Position:
DL
Ht./Wt.:
6-3 / 305
Year:
5th
Hometown:
Decorah, Iowa
High School:
Decorah
Prev School:
Tulsa

Career Notes & Records
Earned undergraduate degree in organizational studies from Tulsa ... Appeared in 27 career games ... Played 24 games over two seasons at Tulsa (2024-25) ... Began his career with two seasons at Iowa Western Community College (2022-23) and redshirted his initial collegiate season ... First FBS appearance came Northwestern State (8/29) in 2024 ... Part of back-to-back National Junior College Athletic Association national titles at IWCC.

2026 (Fifth Season)
Season: Appeared in three games ... Made Indiana debut against North Texas (9/5) in the season opener ... Made first collegiate start in Week 4 against Northwestern (9/25).

North Texas (9/5): Mad three tackles. Howard (9/12): Made two tackles - both for a loss ... First tackle for loss as a Hoosier came as a solo stop behind the line in the second quarter ... Combined with Jeff Utzinger on a third quarter tackle for loss. Western Kentucky (9/19): Totaled one tackle - a solo stop. Northwestern (9/25): First collegiate start netted one stop.

2025 (Fourth Season – Tulsa)
Season: Appeared in 12 games … First solo tackle for loss came at Oklahoma State (9/19) … Combined on first collegiate sack against Tulane (9/27) … First solo sack came in season finale versus UAB (11/29).

2024 (Third Season - Tulsa)
Season: Appeared in 12 games … Made FBS debut against Northwestern State (8/29) … Combined for first collegiate tackle for loss at North Texas … Earned American Conference All-Academic.

2022-23 (Iowa Western Community College)
Played two years at Iowa Western Community College, winning the NJCAA National Championship both seasons … Appeared in 10 games in 2023 as a redshirt freshman … Totaled 29 tackles with 11.0 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks … Redshirted initial collegiate season.

Prep/Personal
Two-way lineman for head coach Pat Trewin at Decorah High School … Named to Iowa Sportswriters Association All-State at defensive line as a senior … Tabbed first-team all-state on the offensive line by the Des Moines Register as a junior … Tabbed academic all-state and all-district as a junior and senior … Given Decorah High School Male Scholar Athlete Award as a senior … Credited with 53 tackles with 17.5 tackles for loss in prep career … Also lettered in baseball, basketball and track and field … Two-time state qualifier in the shot put and discus … Son of Tracy and John Hjelle … Father, John, ran track at Luther College … Mother, Tracy, played softball at Iowa State.