Joe Hjelle

Position:
DL
Ht./Wt.:
6-3 / 318
Year:
Redshirt Senior
Hometown:
Decorah, Iowa
High School:
Decorah
Prev School:
Tulsa

Career Notes & Records
Appeared in 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.

2025 (Junior 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 (Sophomore 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.