With the formal weeklong ceremonies and enshrinement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 only a few weeks away in Canton Ohio, the process to select the next class is already underway with recent voting by the committees for the senior and coach-contributor categories, and results released by the Hall.
The senior players who are 2024 semifinalists are:
Ken Anderson
Ottis Anderson
Carl Banks
Maxie Baughan
Larry Brown
Mark Clayton
Charlie Conerly
Roger Craig
Henry Ellard
Randy Gradishar
Lester Hayes
Chris Hinton
Cecil Isbell
Joe Jacoby
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson
Mike Kenn
Bob Kuechenberg
George Kunz
Albert Lewis
Jim Marshall
Clay Matthews Jr.
Steve McMichael
Eddie Meador
Stanley Morgan
Tommy Nobis
Art Powell
Sterling Sharpe
Steve Tasker
Otis Taylor
Everson Walls
Al Wistert.
The coaches/ contributors who are 2024 semifinalists are:
From these lists, the 12 senior player and 12 coach-contributors finalists will be announced on July 27th, and then 3 seniors are selected on August 15 and 1 coach-contributor on August 22nd to have their cases presented to the full PFHOF selection committee and voted on (each finalist needing 80% yes from the 50 member committee) at their meeting in early January when the Class of 2024 will elected. The official announcement of the Class of 2024 on the NFL Honors show on Thursday February 8th, 2024.
The process to select the 5 modern candidates for the Class of 204 will occur during the fall – in advance of that January 2024 selection meeting – look for posts and discussion here on those results in coming months.
But with seniors and coach-contributor semi-finalists now released, let’s start into our debates and discussions on these deserving candidates as their potential paths to Canton have started.
With the announcement of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 fast approaching on NFL Honors Show, Thursday February 10th, its time to lock in your predictions. For a reminder here is the list of modern candidate finalists that the selection committee voted on during their 7 hour virtual meeting on January 18th:
DE Jared Allen
OT Willie Anderson
DB Ronde Barber
OT Tony Boselli
S LeRoy Butler
PR/KR Devin Hester
WR Torry Holt
WR Andre Johnson
LB Sam Mills
DT Richard Seymour
LB Zack Thomas
LB DeMarcus Ware
WR Reggie Wayne
LB Patrick Willis
DT Bryant Young
We should also note that the committee has also already voted on the separate cases for the senior finalist WR Cliff Branch, coach Dick Vermeil and contributor Art McNally-as per usual we can assume all were elected. So for our predictions we will just consider the aforementioned 15 modern candidates. To save time and effort a few of us here at ZoneBlitz.com will make our predictions below without lengthy justifications. For more detailed discussion and debate on these candidates review our longer thread of posts on the Deciding the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 topic. Please feel free to comment on ours or make your own, but be sure to do so before the official announcement Thursday February 10th, 9-11pm EST on the NFL Honors Show. Anyone who correctly predicts all five can declare themselves “The Greatest” for the next year when posting here on ZoneBlitz.com.
Paul: Boselli, Butler, Seymour, Thomas, Ware – I am going with four final 10 left over from the 2021 election, in fact both Boselli and Seymour have been in final ten multiple times indicating they have support of the voters and appear primed for election this year. Butler is another candidate with repeated appearances in the final 15 and as voters have addressed the safety position in recent years, he is the next one up. That leaves my prediction of the one and only 2022 first ballot candidate to be elected, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos LB DeMarcus Ware. Although his first ballot case may not be as strong as others in recent elections, it does compare favorably to Jason Taylor who was first ballot in class of 2017. Some voters have recently become more vocal and critical about the number of first ballot candidates elected, but 2012 is last class without one, so in my view Ware will be that guy this class. It’s really hard to get all five slots predicted correctly as 49 voters usually results in at least one surprise. I am not taking this into consideration with my predictions, but the one of the WRs Holt or Wayne could slip in replacing either Thomas or Ware, if voters collectively decide to address the rapid growing logjam at WR position.
Tony: Boselli, Holt, Seymour, Ware, Wayne – I agree that four of the final 10 from last year make it, but I’ll go off the beaten path and put two WR in. I’d like to see Jared Allen make it, but I think Ware gets the slight edge there and makes it first ballot — although in many years, I think he would be waiting for a season or two as well.
Andy: I think this is going to be the weakest class enshrined in years. I think a lot of these guys are being considered as much because they played for a long time as that they were actually elite players. And I think there are enough guys at similar positions (Johnson, Wayne, Holt vs Willis, Mills, Ware, Thomas vs Anderson, Boselli, etc.) where there is a good chance guys cancel each other out and this ends up being the first class in years to not max out the available HOF spots. I think each of the non-modern era candidates get in. Branch, Vermeil and McNally get in. But this group of finalists stymies me. I like a lot of them. I don’t really love almost any of them. And I find it interesting that one of the guys Paul and Tony both like — Richard Seymour — is on my no list. At three AP First Team All Pro lists, I think he waits. I agree with them on Ware and Boselli. I’m going Holt over Wayne. I think both eventually get in, though I’m not sure either should be a lock. Both had one AP First Team award. One. There were plenty of Pro Bowls amongst them, but the Pro Bowl is such a bad a joke now that people are suggesting as an alternative the worst team in the AFC play the worst team in the NFC for the top pick in the draft. Anyway … I think Zach Thomas is a great story and a solid candidate. And I’m struggling to find a fifth that I am really blown away with. Forced, I’ll go Jared Allen, but he’s not a perfect candidate either.
As we move into the summer months, for those interested in the Pro Football Hall of Fame thoughts and discussions often focus on the upcoming enshrinement of the next class of players, coaches and contributors at the Hall in Canton during the first week in August. Events this year that will include both the 20 member class of 2020 , including Centennial Class (elected, but due to the Covid pandemic not enshrined last year), plus the 8 member class of 2021. Congratulations to the newest members of the Hall, which now stands at 346 individuals representing over 100 years of professional football.
But for others who closely follow and debate the selection of PFHOFers, summer brings another annual tradition- the start of the election process for the next class, in this case for 2022. Starting with the selection of the finalists from the senior, coach and contributor categories by their respective subcommittees in late August. This will be followed by the preliminary list of modern candidates for the class of 2022 which will advance to the 25 semi-finalists (November), 15 finalists (January 2022), and voting for the 5 modern players (plus decisions on the senior, coach and contributor) the day before Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA, February 13th, 2022. So let the debates begin!
Starting with the senior committee finalist selection, we can consider those players we know were considered a year ago but not selected: Stanley Morgan, George Kunz, Randy Gradishar, Cliff Branch, Roger Craig, Ken Anderson, Ken Riley, Chuck Howley, Tommy Nobis, LC Greenwood, Joe Klecko (note: unofficial list as PFHOF does not publicly announce the 12 players considered by the seniors committee. Rumors on social media suggested that Riley finished 2nd, in 2021 voting – to finalist and elected PFHOF Dallas Cowboys WR Drew Pearson. However, we know actually very little about the finalists, discussions and voting by the rotating group of five senior committee members who make the selection to present to the full committee at their meeting each year the day before the Superbowl. Several of these possible senior candidates were finalists for the 2020 Centennial Class, and suggestions have made over the years that many have been part of the process of selecting senior candidates in the past. Will recent momentum carry Riley to election (also the focus of a high profile social media campaign by Bengal fans) or will this finally be the year for Gradishar, Branch or Klecko? Are the prospects dimming for pre 1960s candidates such as Ox Emerson, Lavvie Dilweg and Al Wistert?
For 2021, the first election that provided for a separate coaches category, saw Oakland/LA Raiders coach Tom Flores elected into the Hall. As to clues to the possible next coach under consideration, unfortunately we don’t know exactly whom voters are considering, but certain ones are very likely: Don Coryell, Mike Holmgren Buddy Parker, Dan Reeves, and Dick Vermeil (all finalists for the 2020 Centennial Class), with Marty Schottenheimer another likely candidate. All deserving names, which is leading to a difficult decision by the coaches subcommittee this August. And for the contributor candidate, names that seem to draw interest and attention as potential contenders include Art McNally, Robert Kraft, Art Modell, Bud Adams, Bucko Kilroy, and several other owners, scouts and general managers. But at this point, a clear contender does not appear to exist, although many are advocating for McNally to become the first on-field NFL official to be elected into PFHOF.
Next we have the always contentious selection of the five (maximum) modern candidates; a process that will start in September with over 100 nominees, including many returning finalists from 2021, and as in every election year first year ballot players to be under discussion. In this latter group we will see Demarcus Ware, Andre Johnson, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith, Tony Romo, Nick Mangold, Vince Wilfork, and Devin Hester to appear as candidates. Recent elections have resulted in an large increase in the number of 1st ballot players elected – an issue of much debate in the media – including by some current voters who view the trend as disconcerting. An issue that is unlikely to be at the forefront this election cycle, with only Ware perhaps having best chance at election.
What we will have is a strong group of returning candidates, including several who have now been finalists multiple times in recent elections, highlighted by those players remaining from the 2021 final ten stage: Tony Boselli, Zack Thomas, Richard Seymour and Leroy Butler. Others likely to receive considerable discussion among the voters will be other 2021 semi-finalists, such as Jared Allen, Ronde Barber, Torry Holt, Sam Mills, Reggie Wayne, and Bryant Young. In addition, the candidacy of special team player Steve Tasker will likely receive plenty of attention as he appears on the modern candidate ballot for the last time, and perhaps represents an opportunity by the voters to advance him to the finalist round as the first non-kicker or punter special team player to be discussed by the full Hall selection committee.
That gets us the start of the eight month long process of debates and voting stages for the PFHOF Class of 2022 – let’s all jump in with our views, make cases and engage in our annual contributions to the always interesting and unknown process to add 8 more members to the Hall in Canton.
Editor’s Note: Paul sent us the bulk of this post some time back…we’ve modified it slightly to adjust for the fact that the nominees were cut down to the semifinalists list announced today…and we will add our predictions in the comments.
With today’s announcement that the 130 modern era nominees has been cut to 25 semi-finalists, we move onto the next step in the process to cut the list to 15 finalists (early January), and finally naming of the class on Selection Saturday when the Hall voters will meet in Tampa on February 6th (hopefully), the day before the Super Bowl, with the official announcement later that evening during the annual NFL Honors show (although news will certainly filter out via social media by 5-6p that day).
The focus of attention will be on another loaded first ballot group of candidates with QB Peyton Manning, CB Charles Woodson, WR Calvin Johnson, and DE Jared Allen. Plus likely returning finalists including S Leroy Butler (2nd year as finalist), OT Tony Boselli (5th year), OG Alan Faneca (6th yr), S John Lynch (8th yr), DT Richard Seymour (3rd yr), and LB Zack Thomas (2nd yr).
Predicting the five modern candidates to be elected can be challenging as always a surprise or two, rules allow for 3-5 but recent elections has seen the maximum of 5 and we can assume same for class of 2021 as voters have plenty of deserving players to get into the Hall eventually. Voters typically are very quiet leading up to and after the selection meeting, making it very difficult to determine any preferences or popular candidates. This year will be no different, in fact perhaps even more challenging as there have been some changes to the committee membership, adding a few new voices and opinions into the 48 member group who will make the final selections via a series of votes from 15 to 10 and finally to 5, who then require 80% from the committee to be elected.
But we can start with some pretty basic assumptions when looking to predict the class of 2021 moderns: QB Payton Manning and CB Charles Woodson will be locks to be elected. Although the term “lock” is often misused by many when considering 1st ballot elections, in the case of these two candidates it is not an overstatement or misjudgment. That leaves 3 remaining slots for modern candidates to be filled by the votes, and one that is very likely to be given to Pittsburg Steeler OG Alan Faneca, a deserving player who has waited too long in the minds of many and will also benefit from the voters support for OL to be added (his profile of 6x first team all pro, 9x pro bowls, first team all decade, and SB make him very qualified). It will be the final 2 slots were the discussions, debate and voting will be interesting and certainly more challenging to predict. But that never stopped any of us from trying before, so let’s have at it.
First, I think perhaps the most controversial and discussed aspect of the class of 2021 elections will be that Detroit Lions WR Calvin “Megatron” Johnson will not be selected. He certainly has the credentials with 3x first team all pro selections, 6x pro bowl and 2010s all decade team (along with NE Patriots OG Logan Mankins he becomes first from that all decade team to appear on PFHOF ballot). But many fans and supporters are missing the reality that the voters do not tend to support 1st ballot elections for WRs and also look to delay elections for short career candidates – Johnson played for nine seasons, hence lacks major career receiving statistics. There will certainly be support in the room for him, he could very well could make the final 10 stage, but I foresee a wait of a few years before election. Also worth noting that WRs are really crowding the ballot with Johnson, plus Torry Holt (2020 finalist), Jimmy Smith, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne (2020 finalist) and others-any more to join in the next few years. Voters will have their hands full in coming elections to sort out a massive logjam at the WR position.
So back to those two other slots (after predicting election of Manning, Woodson and Faneca). One historical trend of voters is addressing the wait for deserving candidates who continue to appear as finalist but await election. I am predicting that they will address this concern for OT Tony Boselli and elect him into this class. And yes I know that two OL elected is a rare occurrence, but given this will be his 5th year on the ballot (and he finished in final 10 each of the last three elections so he has support of voters) will convince voters it’s time to elect the first Jacksonville Jaguar to the Hall. That leaves one final slot, and the 5th modern candidate elected is often the most difficult to predict and this year is no different in that regard. The top contender should be viewed as Lynch, Seymour or Thomas. And one could make the case for any of the three (or Butler for that matter), it will be a real toss up how 48 voters view these candidates and who secures enough support to election. I am usually dismissive of the “home town” influence playing a factor – that the Superbowl teams or location influences the voters when considering modern candidates for the Hall – but in this case I am going to go with former Tampa Bay Buc Safety John Lynch as my prediction. But admit that it could very well be Seymour or Thomas as both are deserving and have their supporters.
So there you have it, my class of 2021 modern predictions of Payton Manning, Charles Woodson, Alan Faneca, Tony Boselli, and John Lynch. Anyone else willing to go out on a limb with their reputation on the line and make a prediction? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Well a year has passed and it has included plenty of anticipation and discussion over the Class of 2020 – with a special amount of focus associated with the Centennial Class. After years of debating over senior candidates and hoping for a larger group of said seniors to be elected, we finally got our wish. Yet the results were disappointing to many of us. We should reflect on the fact that 10 seniors (along with three contributors and two coaches) along with five modern-era candidates were elected in a class of 20 for 2020.
Last month has seen plenty of follow-up posts and comments about the results and even our first annual prediction contest! Thanks everyone for their continued input and posts in keeping the debates and discussion fresh and updated.
So, perhaps now is a time to move on to 2021 and the future. We know the next few years will again see deserving modern candidates, including some likely first-ballot selections, along with seniors, coaches and contributors worthy of consideration. What has yet to be determined (or officially announced) by the Hall is whether or not they will stick with the recent system under which they have rotated between one senior and two contributor candidates and vice versa.
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I guess what I am saying Andy P is that transparency is great, just doubt that it improves the results
So what do you mean where you say transparency?
Paul I don’t know what are you trying to say
Let’s say we had a lot more transparency during class of 2025 election - would it have changed outcome?
Paul what do you mean it doesn’t improves outcome