JACKSONVILLE – Fred Taylor is a step closer. It's an important step.
The Jaguars legend and Pride of the Jaguars member on Saturday moved closer to football immortality when he was named a modern-era finalist for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Taylor, a Jaguars running back from 1998-2008, was named a finalist for the second time. He had been named a Hall semifinalist for the sixth time in November.
Taylor, the No. 9 overall selection in the 1998 NFL Draft, rushed for 11,695 yards and 66 touchdowns in 13 NFL seasons. He rushed for 11,271 yards and 62 touchdowns with Jacksonville – and is the franchise's all-time rushing leader.
Taylor, a member of the Pride of the Jaguars, ranks No. 18 on the NFL's all-time rushing list and his 4.6-yards-per carry average ranks behind only Barry Sanders and Jim Brown among players with more career rushing yards.
Comprising the Class of 2025's Modern-Era Player list of candidates are nine players who also reached this stage in the selection process when the Class of 2024 was chosen, five players in their first year of eligibility and a first-time Finalist in his fourth year of eligibility. To be considered for election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, a nominated individual must not have participated as an active player for five consecutive seasons.
The other 14 modern-era finalists:
- Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
- Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
- Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
- Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
- Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
- Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
- Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
- Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
- Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
- Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
- Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
- Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
- Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
- Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens
The list of finalists was reduced from a list of 25 semifinalists announced in November. That list was reduced from an initial group of 167 nominees announced in September. No more than five modern-era candidates make the hall each year.
