Redshirt senior defensive lineman on Indiana's 2026 roster.
6′3″ · 318 lb · Decorah, IA · Decorah
CFB Index
A single number blending on-field production (an EPA-based value lane) with box-score output for this player's position.
0-100, scaled within each position's own cohort — not directly comparable across positions.
The numbers
sacks · 2026 · through week 3
3 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 1.5 TFL, 2 tackles, vs Howard
His career numbers, season by seasonThe story
Redshirt senior defensive lineman on Indiana's 2026 roster.
Joe Hjelle
Wins his gap play after play. Three head coaches in three seasons, at two different programs. The receipt: 3 tackles against North Texas — Week 1, 2026.
6 TACKLES · 0 SACKS
Low coverage — composed from the verified record.
His career
5 programs, one constant: he played.
Career arc
Coaching lineage · 2024–2026
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Curt Cignetti.
Where He Ended Up · Transfer
Transferred to Indiana
Game by game
Point color shows the opponent's defensive strength that week (red = weaker defense, blue = stronger) — dashed line is this player's own season average.
Game log · Week-by-week
2026 season · 3 games
| Wk | Opp | TKL | SOLO | TFL | SACK | INT | PD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wk 1 | W 52-16vs North Texas | 3 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | Season-high 3 tackles |
| Wk 2 | W 55-0vs Howard | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Wk 3 | W 38-0vs Western Kentucky | 1 | 1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — | 0 | |
| Total | 6 | 3 | 1.5 | 0.0 | — | 0 |
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 2 · 2026
W 55–0
vs Howard
1.5 tackles for loss · 2 tackles · 1 solo tackles
Dominant 55-point win at home against Howard.
With J. Hoover — 145 yds · 4 TD · 0 INT · QBR 75.5 · 18 rush yds (6 car) · T. Richard — 108 rush yds (11 car) · 1 TD
Since week 2: +1 tackle.
Season context · Team result + system
Where this defender ranks vs the field
Box-score production percentiles vs the position cohort
Concern: tackles (0th percentile).
Percentiles are versus same-position peers with enough snaps this season, based on box-score production. There are no play-by-play efficiency bars here: CFBD's play-value model credits offensive players only, so no defensive EPA exists to rank.
Splits · Per-game
2026 season · 3 games
Home vs Road
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home3g | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
First half vs Second half
| TKL/g | TFL/g | SACK/g | PD/g | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-73g | 2.0 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Supporting cast · Scheme
Staff and system around the player
Head Coach
Curt Cignetti
Pass share
32.8%
57 pass / 117 run
Plays / game
58.0
3 games
Team sack rate
8.1%
62 dropbacks · PBP
Scheme: Run-heavy, slow tempo.
Player standing · 2025
Tackle volume for the position among the most productive regulars.
Recognition
Production · CFB Index Score
Two-star recruit. Now #54 at the position.
Play style
Stout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number.
CFB Index positional classification
Player DNA
Stout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Hosea Wheeler’s 2023 season.
Matches Hosea on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a sophomore, his production profile tracks closest to Caden Haws's sophomore season at BYU (2021).
Matches Caden on
Player DNA
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…
14 more on the roster · Indiana team page