Joel Hale Becomes the Newest 2011 OSU Buckeye

The defensive tackle from Greenwood Indiana, Joel Hale, became the newest member of Ohio State’s 2011 class on June 7th when he committed to Head Coach Jim Tressel. The 6’4” 290 lbs tackle is considered a 3 star recruit by Rivals.com and the 34th best defensive tackle in the country. Recruited by Dick Tressel, Hale adds to a defensive line class that compares well to 2009 when they brought in Adam Bellamy, Melvin Fellows, Jonathan Newsome and John Simon.

By Steve Patterson

Hale had scholarship offers from Florida, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue, and Wisconsin. Quite a list of schools including many of the top Big 10 programs. In fact, he was ready to commit to the Buckeyes before the start of June but waited a full week so he could contact every program that offered him a scholarship to tell them of his decision.

A very powerful played in the trenches, Hale also has great agility and works hard in the classroom. The strong recruiting class that Ohio State is putting together was one of the main reasons Hale selected OSU over other programs. Prior in the month of June, Ohio State added the #1 quarterback in the nation, Braxton Miller, and a very talented wide receiver, Evan Spencer, to the 2011 class. Hale becomes the 14th member total in a class that could reach 22 recruits.

Hale was impressed with the academics at Ohio State when he visited and couldn’t find a similar academic situation that also including a national title contending football program. Other defensive lineman in the class include tackle Michael Bennett, and defensive ends Chase Farris, Kenney Hayes, and Steve Miller. Washington DC defensive tackle recruit Kevin McReynolds, who visited Ohio State for the spring game, was considered a heavy lean to be in the class but now appears to be on the outside looking in with 5 defensive lineman already committed.