2025 HOF semifinalists

[Hardline]

FRISCO, Texas – Former Cowboys safety Darren Woodson was one of the 25 Modern-Era players named as a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 on Wednesday morning.

It's Woodson's ninth time being nominated as a semifinalist, and his seventh year in a row. The last two years, Woodson has been a finalist but hasn't been inducted into the Hall yet.

Woodson won three Super Bowls in his 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys, was a three-time first team All-Pro, five time Pro Bowler, and is the franchise's all-time leading tackler with 967 in his career.

Behind Torry Holt's 11 nominations, Woodson is tied with Hines Ward for the second-most semifinalist nominations of the 25 Modern-Era players named this year.

The rest of the nominees are as follows:

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/past-present-darren-woodson-again-named-hof-semifinalist

 

[TequilaCowboy]

Unfortunately, I am not getting good vibes for Woodson. Looks like he will not be getting in. Next Cowboy in will probably be Witten.

 

[Blitzen]

Contrary to popular belief I think todays era is much better then the 2000s and early 2010s…. I loved Steve Smith he was a dog but in today’s game he’s not top 10. Or top 15.

I disagree. I think he’s top 5 even today. He was an animal at the catch point and so clever and quick. Randy Moss won his way at the catch point and Steve won his way. I loved watching Steve play.

 

[DeaconBlues]

Not a single name on that list should go in before Woodson.

Not one.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I disagree. I think he’s top 5 even today. He was an animal at the catch point and so clever and quick. Randy Moss won his way at the catch point and Steve won his way. I loved watching Steve play.

I loved him to but if I’m having my choice of a Lamb or Steve Smith one Cooper Kupp or Tyreek or Chase or Jefferson…it’s awhile before I get to Smith..

 

[noshame]

Woody's long overdue

 

[DuncanIso]

Niland.

 

[Blitzen]

I loved him to but if I’m having my choice of a Lamb or Steve Smith one Cooper Kupp or Tyreek or Chase or Jefferson…it’s awhile before I get to Smith..

Oof. I'm looking at the players in the context of at their very best (young and healthy). The only two, that I take clearly over him in the league right now is Hill and Jefferson, with Chase in a dead heat. Definitely before either Lamb or Kupp and I like those players a lot. He was a tiny guy and played the bulk of his prime years on poor to mediocre Panthers’ teams with Jake Delhomme throwing to him or whoever they could start with that week. He had a fantastic career, but in my opinion was largely wasted on too many bad teams with poor offenses. Either way, it’s probably splitting hairs.

 

[MarcusRock]

I disagree. I think he’s top 5 even today. He was an animal at the catch point and so clever and quick. Randy Moss won his way at the catch point and Steve won his way. I loved watching Steve play.

I agree with you. Dude was a beast. I'd call him a poor man's Hill for speed, but with deadly hops. The best catch I saw him make was to high point the ball with close coverage and stiff armed the guy on the way down to the ground to keep running and score. Sick.

 

[ColoradoCowboy]

Whew...

Vinatieri
Smith SR.
Boldin
Gates
Woodson

 

[Blitzen]

I agree with you. Dude was a beast. I'd call him a poor man's Hill for speed, but with deadly hops. The best catch I saw him make was to high point the ball with close coverage and stiff armed the guy on the way down to the ground to keep running and score. Sick.

Yeah!!

The crazy thing is he came out of Utah with 4.39 speed so he still had great speed (not Hill speed of course). He was maybe the best at adjusting his route while the ball was in the air I’ve ever seen. Like an elite baseball center fielder, which he probably got when he was fielding punt and kickoff returns.

 

[gtb1943]

Whew...

Vinatieri
Smith SR.
Boldin
Gates
Woodson

like I said Viniatieri was so clutch; more SB winning kicks than any in the history of the NFL; including pre SB era as regards championship games. HE was simply MR Clutch.

The rest I agree on as well

 

[BoysForLife]

You could make somewhat of a compelling case for most of those guys.

But I'm really scratching my head over Ricky Watters

In his whole career I don't ever remember watching him and thinking he was even remotely Gold jacket worthy

 

[BoysForLife]

I disagree. I think he’s top 5 even today. He was an animal at the catch point and so clever and quick. Randy Moss won his way at the catch point and Steve won his way. I loved watching Steve play.

I love watching anyone play who vastly exceeds their potential on paper

Smith was a genuinely nasty competitor whose career success was as much due to sheer heart and desire as his physical gifts.

Guy was a damn warrior. I would love to see him in the HOF.

 

[Tussinman]

Eli, because God hates me. Rivers and Romo were consistently better QBs during Eli's same era and neither one will ever sniff the Hall.

Rivers will 100% get in. He will have to wait a handful of years, but his stats are too high for him to never get in (8x NFL top 100, 8x pro bowler, 6th all time in both yards and touchdowns).

I wouldn't even be shocked if he made finalist the first year, he's eligible. I don't think there has ever been a player that made finalist 1st year being eligible and never gets in eventually.

 

[Tussinman]

Reggie Wayne will get slapped with the "compiler" label, because he was never All-Decade and only made First Team All-Pro once. He was no Frank Gore though, he one of the best WRs in the league for like 10 years, and IMO he's totally deserving of a gold jacket. But he's not an easy sell to a HOF committee facing a logjam at WR.

Same thing will happen with Mike Evans. Evans never made 1st team all pro and was basically a fringe top 8 guy for a long time like Wayne. "compiler" and "hall of very good" tags will get thrown around with guys like this.

Steve Smith could be viewed similar as well although at least he has 2x first team all pro. Canton likes WRs to have those monster peak years/stints and like you said there's going to be a logjam of these "hall of very good" type receivers.

 

[cowboysfan99]

If I recall correctly, Woodson is the only Ring of Honor member not in the HOF. I sure hope he can get in. If not this year, then next.

Don Meredith, Don Perkins, Lee Roy Jordan

 

[BoysForLife]

Don Meredith, Don Perkins, Lee Roy Jordan

There was a strong bias against early Cowboys players.

It's an absolute travesty that Jordan is not in

 

[big dog cowboy]

Not a single name on that list should go in before Woodson.

Not one.

Exactly right!

 

[tyke1doe]

I really, really, really, really hope Woodson finally gets in!! He deserves it!!!!!!

He will. The media like their own, and he hasn't pissed anyone off, not that I know.