JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jaguars star running back Fred Taylor is once again a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, making the cut to 26 on Tuesday morning.
Now, the difficult part begins.
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This is the seventh straight year that Taylor has been a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame, and he faces a tough climb to make it for enshrinement in this class. No more than five modern era players can be elected for one class, and this one is loaded.
Among the first-time semifinalists this year are quarterbacks Drew Brees and Philip Rivers, receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight end Jason Witten and running back Frank Gore.
The selection committee will cut the list of 26 semifinalists to 15 finalists. Those players will then be voted on before the Super Bowl in February. Four players, Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri, are already guaranteed a spot in the final 15 after making it down to the final seven players in balloting for the Class of 2025.
The other returning finalists are Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Reggie Wayne, Jahri Evans, Marshall Yanda, Terrell Suggs and Darren Woodson.
Taylor rushed for 11,695 yards in his career, a number that ranks 17th in NFL history. Taylor scored 66 rushing touchdowns and had another eight receiving to help the Jaguars reach two AFC championship games during his career.
All but two of the running backs in front of Taylor are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with the exceptions of Frank Gore (16,000, No. 3) and Adrian Peterson (14,918, No. 5). This is the first season Gore has been eligible for the Hall
Taylor may have to wait a bit longer.
It took ex-Jaguars star Tony Boselli six straight years as a finalist before he was finally elected to the Class of 2022. Getting to the 15-person modern era finalist portion of the process was significant for Boselli as it is for Taylor. Once players get to that stage, it allows their case to be presented to the entire voting bloc.