The NFL officially announced its semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Five first-year eligible candidates joined a list of 17 players who were semifinalists last year. Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning leads the list of players to make the cut in their first year of eligibility, along with Terrell Suggs, Earl Thomas, Adam Vinaieri, and Marshal Yanda. Each of these HOF candidates played their last NFL game during the 2019 season.
How Does The Pro Football Hall of Fame Work?
NFL players and coaches become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after they have played or coached in the league. To be considered, players must have received at least one postseason honor, which includes All-Pro honors, Pro Bowl invitations, and annual awards.
The selection process begins with a list of over 150 nominees, which is eventually cut down to 50 players and coaches. From there, the list is narrowed down to 25 semifinalists, followed by another vote to reduce the total number to 15 finalists. Then, just before the Super Bowl, the selection committee will engage in a thorough discussion to bring the final list down to seven candidates.
Hall of Fame finalists who receive at least 80% of the votes will be elected. A maximum of five finalists and no fewer than three finalists will be elected every year. If fewer than three finalists receive 80% votes, the finalists closest to that threshold will be elected.
Which Hall of Fame Candidates Are Most Likely To Be Enshrined In 2025?
There are three first-time eligible players who are likely to be first ballot Hall of Famers in 2025. Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, pass-rush extraordinaire Terrell Suggs, and arguably the most clutch kicker of all-time Adam Vinatieri.
Eli Manning
Manning led the New York Giants to two improbable Super Bowl victories over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. A former No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, Manning finished his NFL career with a .500 record (118-118) but made four Pro Bowl appearances and won two Super Bowl MVP Awards, which should be enough to enshrine him in Canton, Ohio.
Adam Vinatieri
Vinatieri made a name for himself by sealing three of New England’s Super Bowl victories with game-winning field goals. The NFL’s all-time scoring leader with 2,673 points, Vinatieri also holds NFL records for the most field goals made (599), postseason points (238), and overtime field goals made (12).
Terrell Suggs
Suggs was among the anchors on the vaunted Baltimore Ravens defense of the early 2000s. The 10th overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, Suggs burst onto the scene with 12 sacks as a rookie to win AP Rookie of the Year. A seven-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion, Suggs’ resume stacks up with some of the best pass rushers of all-time. He finished his career with 139 sacks, good for eighth on the all-time list. All seven players ahead of Suggs on the all-time sacks leaderboard have been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
