Running back LaDainian Tomlinson, WR Hines Ward, Safety Brian Dawkins and Defensive end Jason Taylor are the four first-time eligible candidates for Hall of Fame enshrinement in 2017.

Chris Hinton, who played tackle and guard, was a first-time semifinalist, though he has been eligible for several years.

Hall of Fame voters named 26 semifinalists Wednesday night. The deepest positions are running back and safety, where four candidates remain from the initial group of 94 total nominees. There also were six offensive linemen, four of whom played most their careers at tackle.

Strong returning semifinalists include Terrell Owens, the controversial wide receiver who bounced around to several teams due to character issues, and Kurt Warner, who was great several years and less so others.

Warner, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt represent the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams that won the Super Bowl after the 1999 season.

Coaches Jimmy Johnson and Don Coryell also return.

We took a stab at predicting the 2017 HOF class earlier this year. Check out our selections here.

The next step involves voters, in January, reducing these 26 players to 15 Modern Era finalists for enshrinement. They will join senior candidate, Seattle safety Kenny Easley, and contributor finalists, Dallas owner Jerry Jones and former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue, as the 18 finalists.

The modern-era candidates will be debated by HOF voters on Super Bowl weekend with the group being reduced to 10 and then five. Those five remaining players will receive up or down votes. Easley, Jones and Tagliabue will automatically reach the final voting stage. The maximum class is eight players. Those who receive 80 percent yes votes from voters will be enshrined in August.

Here are the semifinalists by position:

Quarterback: Kurt Warner

Running back: Roger Craig, Terrell Davis, Edgerrin James, LaDainianTomlinson

Wide receiver: Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, Terrell Owens, Hines Ward

Offensive lineman: Tony Boselli, Alan Faneca, Chris Hinton, Joe Jacoby, Mike Kenn, Kevin Mawae,

Defensive line: Jason Taylor

Linebacker: Clay Matthews, Karl Mecklenburg

Safety: Steve Atwater, Sean Dawkins, John Lynch, Darren Woodson

Cornerback: Ty Law

Kicker: Morten Andersen

Coach: Don Coryell, Jimmy Johnson