Joe Hjelle

Position:
Defensive Line
Height:
6-3
Weight:
300
Class:
Redshirt Junior
Hometown:
Decorah, Iowa
High School:
Decorah HS
Prev School:
Iowa Western CC
Player Shop:
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CAREER NOTES: A two-time letterwinner … Enrolled mid-semester 2024 and participated in spring drills … Played in 24 career games … Has a career total of 65 tackles … Has a career total of 6.0 tackles for loss of 21 yards.

2024 Academic All-Conference

2025: Appeared in all 12 games for Tulsa during the 2025 season on defense and special teams.

Recorded a total of 46 tackles, with 10 solo and 36 assisted.
Achieved 1.0 sack for a loss of 4 yards against UAB on November 29, 2025.
Registered 4.5 tackles for loss during the season.
Notched a quarterback hurry in the game against Oklahoma State on September 19, 2025.
Tallied a season-high 6 tackles in multiple games, including against Memphis on October 4, 2025, and Army on November 22, 2025.
Had six games with five or more tackles.

2024: Played during all 12 games during his first year at Tulsa.

Recorded 19 tackles, five unassisted and 14 assisted.
Recorded one and a half tackles for loss of four yards.
Made his Golden Hurricane debut on Aug. 29 against Northwestern State.

PRIOR TO TULSA: Played two years at Iowa Western Community College, winning the NJCAA National Championship both seasons.

Started in 2023, while helping his team post a 12-1 record.
Win the Region 11 and NJCAA Championships in 2023.
Totaled 32 tackles, 7.5 sacks and forced one fumble in his JUCO career.
Junior college coach was Scott Strohmeier.

HIGH SCHOOL

Played his prep football at Decorah High School.
Played guard, center, linebacker and on the defensive line in his prep career.
Received Decorah High School’s Male Scholar Athlete Award as a senior.
Started both on offense and defense his junior and senior seasons.
Was credited with 53 tackles, including 41 solos and 17.5 TFL, in his high school career.
Was a Des Moines Register first-team all-state offensive lineman.
Was also named to the Iowa Sportswriters Association all-state team as a defensive lineman his senior season as well.
Received academic all-state and all-district merits both his junior and senior seasons.
Lettered in baseball, basketball and track.
Was a two-time state qualifier in the shot put and discus.
High school coach was Pat Trewin.

PERSONAL

Favorite pro sports team is the Minnesota Vikings.
Began playing football at age 9.
Has two siblings.
Parents are John and Tracy Hjelle.
His father ran track at Luther College and mother played softball at Iowa State.
Majoring in organizational studies.
Last name pronounced Yell-e.