RSS Feed2025 NFL Hall of Fame Semifinalists
By Chris Malumphy
The 2025 NFL Hall of Fame Semifinalists include 10 first round draft picks, 5 second rounders, 3 from the third round, two fourth rounders, 2 fifth rounders and 3 undrafted players including 2 from Kent State, one of whom played basketball, not football.
Quarterback Eli Manning, the top pick in 2004, is the only semifinalist drafted with a top five selection. Manning was drafted by the Chargers but was traded to the Giants before the end of the round for Quarterback Philip Rivers who had been selected by New York with the fourth pick of the draft.
| 2025 Hall of Fame Semifinalists | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Eli Manning | Chargers | 2004 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Mississippi |
| Running Backs | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Fred Taylor | Jaguars | 1998 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Florida |
| Ricky Watters | 49ers | 1991 | 2 | 18 | 45 | Notre Dame |
| Wide Receivers | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Torry Holt | Rams | 1999 | 1 | 6 | 6 | North Carolina State |
| Reggie Wayne | Colts | 2001 | 1 | 30 | 30 | Miami (FL) |
| Anquan Boldin | Cardinals | 2003 | 2 | 22 | 54 | Florida State |
| Steve Smith Sr. | Panthers | 2001 | 3 | 12 | 74 | Utah |
| Hines Ward | Steelers | 1998 | 3 | 31 | 92 | Georgia |
| Tight Ends | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Antonio Gates | 2003 | Kent State (basketball) | ||||
| Tackles | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Richmond Webb | Dolphins | 1990 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Texas A&M |
| Willie Anderson | Bengals | 1996 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Auburn |
| Jahri Evans | Saints | 2006 | 4 | 11 | 108 | Bloomsburg (PA) |
| Guards | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Steve Wisniewski | Cowboys | 1989 | 2 | 1 | 29 | Penn State |
| Marshal Yanda | Ravens | 2007 | 3 | 23 | 86 | Iowa |
| Defensive Ends | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Terrell Suggs | Ravens | 2003 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Arizona State |
| Jared Allen | Chiefs | 2004 | 4 | 30 | 126 | Idaho State |
| Robert Mathis | Colts | 2003 | 5 | 3 | 138 | Alabama A&M |
| Defensive Tackles | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Vince Wilfork | Patriots | 2004 | 1 | 21 | 21 | Miami (FL) |
| Linebackers | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Luke Kuechly | Panthers | 2012 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Boston College |
| James Harrison | 2002 | Kent State | ||||
| Defensive Backs | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Earl Thomas | Seahawks | 2010 | 1 | 14 | 14 | Texas |
| Eric Allen | Eagles | 1988 | 2 | 3 | 30 | Arizona State |
| Darren Woodson | Cowboys | 1992 | 2 | 9 | 37 | Arizona State |
| Rodney Harrison | Chargers | 1994 | 5 | 14 | 145 | Western Illinois |
| Place Kicker | ||||||
| Name | Team | Draft Year | Round | Pick | Player | College |
| Adam Vinatieri | 1996 | South Dakota State University | ||||
