Buckeyes Land Hale As #14

Ohio State added commitment number 14 to their 2011 recruiting class Monday, with the announcement that Indiana defensive lineman Joel Hale pledged to the Buckeyes. Hale committed to Ohio State Monday afternoon, in a phone call to Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel. Bill Greene has the latest on the newest Buckeye.

Ohio State picked up their 14th commitment of the 2011 recruiting class Monday, with the news that Greenwood (IND) Center Grove defensive lineman Joel Hale decided to become a Buckeye.

Hale, 6-foot-5, 295-pounds, is a three-star prospect that chose Ohio State over the likes of Florida, Penn State and Georgia Tech. He is expected to play defensive tackle for Ohio State.

"I called (Ohio State head coach) Jim Tressel today and told him I had selected Ohio State," Hale explained. "It was a tough decision, but Ohio State was the best place for me."

Hale becomes the third commitment for Ohio State in the past week, following Braxton Miller and Evan Spencer. It is thought the 2011 recruiting class could number as many as 22 by National Signing Day.

Scout.com will have more on the Hale decision in the coming days, including detailed quotes from him.