Post-OSU Update: Joel Hale did not play professional football, but he is now President of trucking/logistics company, Ready-2-Xecute. (updated: Dec. 2023)

Major: Family Resource Management (2014), Consumer and Financial Services (2013), Undeclared (2012)

Weight: 295 (2015), 310 (2014), 309 (2013), 295 (2012), 310 (2011)

2015 Media Guide: Joel Hale is a fifth-year senior and a leader with a commanding presence, even though he is 15 pounds lighter this season than last … losing the weight was intentional as he returns to the defensive line this season after playing along the offensive line last year … a three-year Varsity O letterman for the Buckeyes, Hale has earned his letters by playing in 29 games with nine starts along the defensive line during the 2011-12-13 seasons … he switched to the offensive line last year but was slowed as he battled through a season-long injury … Hale played 499 snaps from scrimmage and on
special teams during the 2012 and 2013 seasons, and he’ll look to make an impact in similar ways this season … his presence back on the defensive line adds depth and big game experience to the position … he graduated in December 2014 with his degree in family resource management … he interned this
summer with Cameron Mitchell’s restaurant group and has hopes and goals to get into the restaurant ownership business.

2014: Hale switched to the offensive line after playing along the defensive line his first three seasons, but a nagging injury kept him from playing in just one game for the College Football Playoff national champions … practiced as much as he could to help the team … earned a red-shirt season because of the injury.

2014 Media Guide: Joel Hale is a vocal leader and a three year Varsity O letterman for the Buckeyes … he earned his letters playing in 29 games with nine starts along the defensive line the past three seasons … he has played 499 snaps from scrimmage and on special teams the last two seasons, and he’ll look to make an impact this season as an offensive lineman, making the switch prior to the start of 2014 spring drills … he will add depth and big game experience to a position that needs it.

2013 Media Guide: Joel Hale is one of the more experienced defensive linemen and is a leader on this team … he is expected to be a key performer at the nose tackle position in 2013 after having played in 15 games and making 10 tackles over the past two seasons … he played in seven games for the undefeated Buckeyes in 2012 and was awarded his second varsity letter … totaled six tackles, including two vs. Purdue … played a career-high 31 plays from scrimmage vs. UAB and played 25 vs. Indiana.

2012 Media Guide: Joel was among a handful of 2011 recruits to enroll early (January, 2011) at Ohio State … he ended up lettering last year as a true freshman, earning playing time in the defensive line rotation … he played in nine games, including the Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl … he was in on four tackles, including two in the game against one of his home-state schools, Purdue … he came out of the 2012 spring drills listed as a back-up at one tackle position.

High School: Outstanding defensive line prospect for the Buckeyes … recorded 40 tackles and 9 forced fumbles as a senior … defensive line Mr. Football for state of Indiana … all-county, all-MICC conference,
all-state for Coach Eric Moore … also lettered in track.

Personal: Son of Dawn Whitaker and Khris Hale … enrolled at Ohio State in January.