Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Semifinalists

The 25 modern-era Semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 were announced on Wednesday. Among the list of former players are six in their first year of eligibility.

Luke Kuechly

Eli Manning

Terrell Suggs

Earl Thomas

Adam Vinatieri

Marshal Yanda

The list also includes 17 players who were Semifinalists for the Class of 2024.

Richmond Webb reached this stage of the process for the first time. Steve Wisniewski was a Semifinalist for the Class of 2014.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Semifinalists

Eric Allen, CB

Jared Allen, DE

Willie Anderson, OT

Anquan Boldin, WR

Jahri Evans, G

Antonio Gates, TE

James Harrison, LB

Rodney Harrison, S

Torry Holt, WR

Luke Kuechly, LB

Eli Manning, QB

Robert Mathis, Edge

Steve Smith Sr., WR

Terrell Suggs, Edge

Fred Taylor, RB

Earl Thomas, S

Adam Vinatieri, K

Hines Ward, WR

Ricky Watters, RB

Reggie Wayne, WR

Richmond Webb, OT

Vince Wilfork, DT

Steve Wisniewski, G

Darren Woodson, S

Marshal Yanda, G

The next step in the Modern-era process is the cut to 15 finalists later this year. Then there’s the big vote before Super Bowl LIX. 

Every year, the focus of the election starts with the players in their first year of eligibility.

Luke Kuechly

Eli Manning

Terrell Suggs

Earl Thomas

Adam Vinatieri

Marshal Yanda

In my opinion, Luke Kuechly and Marshal Yanda are most deserving of first-ballot induction. Each were the best in the league at their position for pretty much the entirety of their careers. I can see all six eventually making it. I can even see all six making it with fairly brief waits. If it wasn’t for Patrick Willis’ bizarre five-year wait, I’d say that Kuechly is a slam-dunk. Who knows with these voters. 

If it was up to me the modern-era members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 would look something like this:

Luke Kuechly

Antonio Gates

Jared Allen

Torry Holt 

Steve Smith Sr.

I think that it’s far more likely that Willie Anderson or Darren Woodson make it ahead of Steve Smith Sr. In my book, Smith is a Hall of Famer. Other than his 2005 Triple Crown season, his stats might not measure up to the people that actually vote. Stats aren’t everything. Smith was one of the best receivers of his era. 

A receiver blockade is building again. Five receivers are among this year’s 25 Semi-finalists. Larry Fitzgerald will join the group soon. At least one must be part of this year’s Class. I’d like to see Smith but I’m fine with Torry Holt. He edges out Reggie Wayne. 

I believe that Luke Kuechly, Antonio Gates, and Jared Allen are easy picks. Kuechly might be the best linebacker I’ve seen since Jack Ham. Many were stunned that Gates didn’t make it in his first year of eligibility last year. He should make it in his second year. Allen has been a finalist every year since 2021. Allen, Holt, and Reggie Wayne are the only players from that 2021 finalist room still waiting for that Hall call. Dwight Freeney leapfrogged Allen in the pass rusher queue last year. The voters can’t allow Robert Mathis or Terrell Suggs do the same this year. Allen has waited long enough. 

The cut to 15 is up next.