Former Kent State basketball standout Antonio Gates is among 15 finalists in the Modern-Era Players category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025, the Hall announced in a release Saturday morning.
A minimum of three and a maximum of five modern-era players will be in the new class.
Among the Class of 2025's Modern-Era Player finalists are nine players who also reached this stage in the selection process a year ago, five players in their first year of eligibility and a first-time finalist in his fourth year of eligibility.
The other finalists in the Modern-Era Player category are Eric Allen , Jared Allen ,Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans , Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly , Eli Manning , Steve Smith Sr., Terrell Suggs , Fred Taylor, Adam Vinatieri , Reggie Wayne , Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda .
The finalists were determined by the Hall's independent Selection Committee from a list that began with 167 nominees. It was reduced to 50 nominees and then to 25 semifinalists before the cut to the 15 finalists.
The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2025, and each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80% for election.
Seniors category Finalists Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer, Coach Finalist Mike Holmgren and Contributor Finalist Ralph Hay also are candidates for the Class of 2025. Finalists from these categories within the selection process are competing directly against each other under bylaws the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors approved earlier this year. The revision was made to help ensure the exclusivity of the Hall of Fame.
Gates, who led the Golden Flashes men's basketball team to the 2002 NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight as a junior, decided to pursue a career in professional football and was signed as a free agent by the San Diego Chargers in 2003 after he went undrafted, and then became one of the best tight ends in NFL history.
He played his entire NFL career (2003-2018) with the Chargers, finishing with 955 receptions for 11,841 yards and 116 touchdowns. His touchdowns are the most ever for an NFL tight end and rank seventh for all positions. He caught a career-high 13 TDs in his second season.
Gates had eight seasons with at least eight receiving touchdowns and had 21 career multi-touchdown games — both the most ever by a tight end. He was elected to eight consecutive Pro Bowls from 2004 to 2011, was named first-team All-Pro from 2004 to 2006 and second-team All-Pro in 2009 and 2010. He was also a member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Here's a look at the other finalists, with short bios provided by the Hall:
Eric Allen, a cornerback, played for the Philadelphia Eagles (1988-1994), New Orleans Saints (1995-97) and Oakland Raiders (1998-2001) after being selected in second round (30th pick overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Eagles … Made immediate impact as rookie, totaling five interceptions to earn a spot on the PFWA's All-Rookie Team … Followed up with an eight-interception season in 1989 and was recognized with first-team All-Pro honors and a spot on Pro Bowl roster … Intercepted at least three passes in his first seven seasons and 10 times in 14-year career … Led NFL with four pick-sixes in 1993 season … Led team (or shared lead) in interceptions seven times – four with Eagles and three with Raiders … Returned eight interceptions for touchdowns in his career … Chosen to play in six Pro Bowls … Named to Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team in 2007 and inducted into team's Hall of Fame in 2011.
Jared Allen, a defensive end, played for the Kansas City Chiefs (2004-07), Minnesota Vikings (2008-2013), Chicago Bears (2014-15) and Carolina Panthers (2015) after being picked in the fourth round (126 overall) by the Chiefs ... Buck Buchanan Award winner and Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year out of Idaho State … 12-year NFL career, started 181 of 187 career games … Member of the Carolina Panthers' 2015 NFC Championship team … Started in Super Bowl 50; amassed one tackle and one QB hit … Led the NFL in sacks twice (2007, 2011) … 2007 Kansas City Chiefs Team MVP … NFL Alumni Player of the Year, 2009 … Career stats: six interceptions, a fumble recovery for TD, 58 passes defensed and 136 sacks … Tied NFL record for career safeties, four … Five Pro Bowl nods … Named first-team All-Pro four times 2007-09, 2011.
Anderson, an offensive tackle, played for the Cincinnati Bengals (1996-2007) and Baltimore Ravens (2008) after being selected in the first round (10th overall) by the Bengals in 1996 ... Made an immediate impact as a rookie for the Bengals and was named to PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 1996 … Possessed not only the size a tackle needed to excel, but also the speed, strength and humility, allowing him to dominate at his position … Known as a strong run blocker and resilient pass blocker during the entirety of his 13-year tenure in the NFL … Considered an elite right tackle during his career and successfully held back such NFL sack leaders as Hall of Famers John Randle, Bruce Smith, Michael Strahan and Reggie White … Blocked for nine 1,000-yard rushers, as well as Corey Dillon's two NFL record-breaking games: 246 yards for the rookie record and 278 yards for the all-time record that both stood for nearly three years … Started in 184 of his 195 career games … First-team All-Pro honors from 2004-06; second-team All-Pro in 2003 … Received All-AFC recognition in 2005 and 2006 … Voted to four consecutive Pro Bowls – the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 games … Received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2004.
Evans, a guard, played for the New Orleans Saints (2006-2016) and Green Bay Packers (2017) after being a fourth-round pick (108 overall) by the Saints in 2006 ... Played collegiately at Division II Bloomsburg (Pa.) University … Durable guard who played 183 career regular-season games – all starts – over 12 seasons … Stepped into Saints lineup immediately, helping team to NFC South Division title and earning a spot on PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2006 … Saints led NFL in passing yards six times during his 11 seasons in New Orleans and total offense six times … Selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls (for 2009-2014 seasons) and was a four-time AP first-team All-Pro (2009-2012 seasons) … Member of Super Bowl XLIV-winning Saints team … Unanimous selection to Saints Hall of Fame in 2021 … Named to the Saints' 50th Anniversary Team in 2016 and the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s.
Holt, a wide receiver, played for St. Louis Rams (1999-2008) and Jacksonville Jaguars (2009) after being selected in the first round (No. 6 overall) in the 1999 draft by the Rams ... Named team's Rookie of the Year after catching 52 passes for 788 yards and 6 TDs to help Rams to Super Bowl title … Had seven catches for 109 yards and a TD in Rams' 23-16 victory over Tennessee Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV … Eight consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons (2000-07) … Career-best 117 catches for 1,696 yards and 12 TDs in 2003 …. Had 10 games with 100 or more yards in 2003 … Led NFL in receptions in 2003 and receiving yardage in 2000 and 2003 … Recorded 80 or more catches in a season eight consecutive years … Led Rams in receptions seven years in a row (2002-08) … Rams' receiving yardage leader a record nine times … 920 career receptions for 13,382 yards and 74 TDs …. Named All-Pro in 2003 and to the second team in 2006 … All-NFC twice … Voted to seven Pro Bowls … Selected to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Kuechly, a linebacker, played his entire career (2012-19) with the Carolina Panthers after being picked by the team in the first round (No. 9 overall) in 2012 ... Run-stopping ability combined with pass coverage skills made him rare inside linebacker to crack Top 10 of NFL drafts in his era … Led National Football League in tackles twice, including rookie season in which his 202 stops set a Panthers' team record … Won Associated Press Defensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2013 … In 2013, upped postseason honors with AP Defensive Player of the Year Award, fist-team AP All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors … In a late December game that season, credited with 26 tackles against the New Orleans Saints, setting an NFL record … Surpassed 100 tackles all eight of his NFL seasons … Finished career with nearly 1,100 tackles, 18 interceptions, 66 passes defensed, 12.5 sacks and 31 quarterback hits … Named to NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s … Won Butkus Award as NFL's top linebacker three times (2014, 2015, 2017) .. Received Art Rooney Award for sportsmanship in 2017.
Manning, a quarterback, played his entire career (2004-2019) with the New York Giants after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 draft by the San Diego Chargers before being traded to the Giants ... Super Bowl XLII MVP while handing the New England Patriots their only loss of the season … Super Bowl XLVI MVP … One of only six players to earn multiple Super Bowl MVP awards … Selected to four Pro Bowls (2019, 2012-13, 2016) … Shared 2016 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year recognition with Larry Fitzgerald … Led the NFC in passing touchdowns in 2005 (24) and 2015 (35) … Played in 236 regular-season games, including a streak of 210 consecutive starts … Threw for 57,023 yards and 366 touchdowns … Upon retirement, possessed 22 regular-season records for the Giants, including passes completed (4,895), longest pass completion (99 yards against the Jets in 2011) and most games with 300 or more yards passing (51) … Among his nine franchise postseason records are passing yards (2,815) and touchdowns (18). Departed Ole Miss owning 47 game, season or career records.
Smith, a wide receiver, played for the Carolina Panthers (2001-2013) and Baltimore Ravens (2014-16) after being selected in the third round (No. 74 overall) in the 2001 draft by the Panthers ... Two-time All-Mountain West Conference selection at Utah … During his rookie season (2001) was the only NFL player to return both a punt and kickoff for a touchdown … Earned All-Pro status as a kick returner in 2001 … Earned All-Pro status as a wide receiver in 2005 and 2009 … Only rookie chosen to the 2002 Pro Bowl … Selected to five Pro Bowls during career … NFL leader in pass receptions (103), receiving yards (1,563) and touchdowns (12) in 2005 … In 2008, led the NFL in average receiving yards per game (101.5) … Named Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year in 2005 ... On receiving end of 39-yard touchdown in Carolina Panthers' Super Bowl XXXVIII appearance … Accumulated more than 4,000 return yards and 14,000 receiving yards … Received the Ed Block Courage Award in 2005 … Selected as NFL Alumni Wide Receiver of the Year in 2005.
Suggs, an outside linebacker/defensive end, played for the Baltimore Ravens (2003-2018), Arizona Cardinals (2019) and Kansas City Chiefs (2019) after being selected in the first round (No. 10 overall) by the Ravens in 2003 ... Set an NCAA record for sacks with 24 as a senior at Arizona State … Immediate contributor to Ravens defense with 12 sacks, nine tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in first year … Won 2003 AP Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and made NFL All-Rookie Team … In 2011, won AP Defensive Player of the Year Award and named first-team All-Pro with season stats that included 14 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, seven forced fumbles and 23 quarterback hits … Returned from Achilles tendon tear in 2012 offseason to play eight games plus playoffs in helping Ravens to victory in Super Bowl LVII … AP's Comeback Player of the Year in 2013 following 10-sack season … Double-digit sacks in seven seasons … Career statistics include 139 sacks (currently 12th all time, unofficially) and 202 tackles for loss, according to Pro-Football-Reference an NFL record.
Taylor, a running back, played for Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008) and New England Patriots (2009-2010) after being a first-round draft pick (No. 9 overall) by the Jaguars in 1998 ... Started 12 games in rookie season, totaling 1,223 yards rushing on 264 carries … Scored 17 touchdowns as a rookie (14 rushing, three receiving), which still stands as franchise's single-season record … Named to the PFWA's All-Rookie Team … Surpassed 1,000 yards rushing in a season seven times, including a career-best 1,572 yards in 2003 … Career rushing totals: 2,534 carries for 11,695 yards and 66 touchdowns … Also caught 290 passes for 2,384 yards and eight scores … Second player inducted into Pride of the Jaguars.
Vinatieri, a kicker, played for the New England Patriots (1996-2005) and Indianapolis Colts (2006-2019) after signing with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 1996 ... Scored 120 points in first season, earning spot on NFL All-Rookie Team … Over next nine seasons, set nearly every significant kicking and scoring record for Patriots, including career points (1,158), consecutive games with a field goal (25) and longest field goal (57 yards) … Provided margin of victory in two of New England's three Super Bowl wins during his tenure with last-second field goals against the St. Louis Rams (20-17 in Super Bowl XXXVI) and Carolina Panthers (32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII) … Joined Colts as free agent prior to 2006 season and played with team for 14 seasons, setting most franchise kicking and scoring records, including career points (1,515) and most field goals from 50 yards plus (37) … Won fourth Super Bowl ring with Colts … Holds NFL record for career points (2,673), consecutive field goals made (44), career field goals (599) and most seasons with 100+ points (21) among many other records … Member of NFL 100 All-Time Team and NFL All-Decade Team of the 2000s.
Wayne, a wide receiver, played his entire career (2001-2014) with the Indianapolis Colts after being picked in the first round (No. 30) overall by the team in 2001 ... Offensive threat who helped Colts reach postseason every year but two during his career … Caught 100 passes in a season four times (104 in 2007, 100 in 2009, 111 in 2010 and 106 in 2012) … Recorded 1,000 receiving yards eight times … Led NFL with career-high 1,510 receiving yards, 2007 …Had 10 or more catches in a game 15 times … Set franchise record with 15 receptions versus Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 3, 2010 … Racked up 100 yards in a game 43 times … Career stats: 1,070 catches for 14,345 yards and 82 touchdowns … Started four AFC Championship Games and two Super Bowls … Had two receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XLI victory … Retired as NFL's second all-time leading receiver in postseason (93 catches) … First-team All-Pro in 2010 … Second-team All-Pro in 2007, 2009 … Voted to six Pro Bowls over seven-year span.
Woodson, a safety, played his entire career (1992-2003) with the Dallas Cowboys after being selected in the second round (No. 37 overall) of the 1992 NFL Draft by the Cowboys with a pick obtained as part of the Herschel Walker trade ... Earned a spot on the 1992 PFWA All-Rookie Team, appearing in all 19 games for the Super Bowl champion Cowboys … A member of three Super Bowl-winning teams with Dallas (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX) … Ended his playing career as the Cowboys' all-time leader in tackles with 1,350, according to team stats … First-team All-Pro honors four seasons (1994-96, 1998) … Chosen to participate in five Pro Bowls … Elected to the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor in 2015 … Finished his 12-year NFL career with 26 interceptions (including playoffs), with two returned for touchdowns … Winner of the 2002 Bart Starr Award, given annually to the NFL player who serves as a positive role model to his family, teammates and community … Finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2003.
Yanda, a guard/tackle, played his entire career (2007-2019) with the Baltimore Ravens after being the team's third-round pick (No. 87 overall) in 2007 ... After playing only two games in 2017, rebounded in 2018, playing 16 games and receiving the Ed Block Courage Award … Selected to eight Pro Bowls … Named Associated Press All-Pro two consecutive seasons (2014-15) … Second-time All-Pro five times (2011-12, 2016, 2018-19) … Member of the NFL's All-Decade Team of the 2010s … Played in all 71 offensive snaps and seven snaps on special teams in the Ravens' Super Bowl XLVII 34-31 victory against the San Francisco 49ers … Returned from a 2008 season-ending injury to aid the Ravens in posting a then-franchise record 47 touchdowns (22 rushing) and 5,619 total yards in 2009 … In 2019, helped increase the franchise total yards record to 5,999 … Named All-NFL in 2012, 2014-15 by PFWA … Named All-AFC by PFWA in 2011-12, 2014-2016, 2018-19.
The Hall's Class of 2025 will be announced at 9 p.m. Feb. 6 during the "NFL Honors" show at Saenger Theater in New Orleans.
The 2025 enshrinement is in August in Canton.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Eli Manning, Steve Smith Sr., Torry Holt among Hall of Fame finalists
