BREAKING: the 2025 semifinalists are here (and Eli is in)

[readjack]

Eli Manning, welcome to Canton!

More or less.

Since the semifinalist stage started in 2004, every first-ballot semifinalist has either reached Canton or is still on the ballot. We'll see if the new voting process changes that, but based on that pattern, six new players can head to the tailor: Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri, Marshal Yanda... and yes, Eli Manning. I'll reserve my full annoyance for later, but part of it is the prioritizing of new players over later players, as voters sent three All-Decade selections to the senior ballot without ever discussing their case in 20 years:

Cornelius Bennett, Ben Coates, Neil Smith.

The good news: Richmond Webb is finally a semifinalist in his 18th year of eligibility, joined by Steve Wisniewski in year 2019. Wiz was previously a semifinalist in his 8th year.

I still don't know why they're ignoring Kevin Williams, who now has one year of non-semis eligibility for every 1st team All Pro selection of his career.

And the WR pile-up shows the folly of advancing players too early, with 1/5 of the semifinalists (5 of 25) at the same position. The longest wait for induction for a first-ballot semifinalist is 11 years; Holt is at 11 and Ward is at nine, so that number will likely stretch. The longest wait for a first-ballot finalist in the semis era is six years; Wayne is at six, so that number will likely stretch too.

The full list:

QB — Eli Manning
RB — Fred Taylor, Ricky Watters
WR — Anquan Boldin, Torry Holt, Steve Smith, Reggie Wayne, Hines Ward
TE — Antonio Gates
OG — Jahri Evans, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda
OT — Willie Anderson, Richmond Webb
DE — Jared Allen, Robert Mathis
DT — Vince Wilfork
ILB — Luke Kuechly
OLB — James Harrison, Terrell Suggs
CB — Eric Allen
S — Rodney Harrison, Earl Thomas, Darren Woodson
ST — Adam Vinatieri

[Brian wolf]

Thanks Jack ...

Yep, Woodson better get in soon or Thomas could jump ahead. I hope this is the year. What a guard line-up of Evans, Yanda and Wiz ... too bad none of them will get elected this year. At least Webb gets somewhat, heard. Eric Allen still hanging on.

[readjack]

Thanks Jack ...

Yep, Woodson better get in soon or Thomas could jump ahead. I hope this is the year. What a guard line-up of Evans, Yanda and Wiz ... too bad none of them will get elected this year. At least Webb gets somewhat, heard. Eric Allen still hanging on.

With the possibility of a three- or four-man modern class, things just got a lot tighter for these late-eligibility guys, even the ones who have had momentum, namely Woodson and E. Allen.

[rewing84]

Thanks Jack ...

Yep, Woodson better get in soon or Thomas could jump ahead. I hope this is the year. What a guard line-up of Evans, Yanda and Wiz ... too bad none of them will get elected this year. At least Webb gets somewhat, heard. Eric Allen still hanging on.

With the possibility of a three- or four-man modern class, things just got a lot tighter for these late-eligibility guys, even the ones who have had momentum, namely Woodson and E. Allen.

Shame About Cornelius Bennett Ben Coates Neil Smith

[conace21]

Well, this feels slightly underwhelming.
My automatic Yes votes would go to: Antonio Gates, Jahri Evans, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda, Willie Anderson, Jared Allen, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri

I could probably come around on the following: Fred Taylor, Torry Holt, Hines Ward, Richmond Webb, and Darren Woodson


The others are HOVG material, IMO.

[rewing84]

Well, this feels slightly underwhelming.
My automatic Yes votes would go to: Antonio Gates, Jahri Evans, Steve Wisniewski, Marshal Yanda, Willie Anderson, Jared Allen, Luke Kuechly, Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinatieri

I could probably come around on the following: Fred Taylor, Torry Holt, Hines Ward, Richmond Webb, and Darren Woodson


The others are HOVG material, IMO.

100% agreed on your automatic yes votes choices I have no real issues with I do also agree on the part where some of the others not listed are HOVG

[Brian wolf]

Eli continues his march to the HOF ... like Jack suggested, anyone making a finalist list in their first year of eligibility, will eventually get voted in. That bodes well for Suggs, Yanda, Kuechly and Vinatieri as well. The question is, how long will this new voting system stay implemented?

I want Woodson to get elected but also felt Thomas would make the finalist list. Can Wiz and Webb get further next year?

Glad Eric Allen is hanging on as well but surprised Smith Sr. got this far. Could he and Wayne keep Holt from getting voted in this year? Will Yanda cancel out Evans or Anderson? Due to Eli, I see only four moderns getting elected.

Prediction

Gates
J Allen
Kuechly
Holt

Sharpe
Baughan
Holmgren

[JohnTurney]

Prediction

Gates
J Allen
Kuechly
Holt

Sharpe
Baughan
Holmgren

Kuechly would surprise by making it this year. Of course, it is possible, but my understanding is that he's being viewed as similar to Patrick Willis. Obviously, it's not exact so I could be wrong.

Darren Woodson is one I think will have decent shot.

[Brian wolf]

That should be the case with Kuechly, John, and maybe it will be a cleanup year for the queue but I also feel he has a good chance due to being fresher in the minds of the voters, like Calvin Johnson.
Willis seemed to have to wait his turn more, with different voting rules.

I hope ur right about Woodson, especially with Harrison and Thomas not advancing but Eric Allen will soak votes from him.

You would think if voters wanted to ease the "logjam" at receiver, they would just nominate Holt and Wayne but with Smith added to the mix, it will be more difficult.

[JohnTurney]

That should be the case with Kuechly, John, and maybe it will be a cleanup year for the queue but I also feel he has a good chance due to being fresher in the minds of the voters, like Calvin Johnson.
Willis seemed to have to wait his turn more, with different voting rules.

Yeah. you could be right. I am going by comments and sentiments from some voters that may or may not be accurate. There are a least a few guys that don't see him in "first-ballot light" given career-ending early. All the guys like him -- like Terrell Davis, Boselli, Willis, etc waited a little.

That's the tea leaves as I see them.