Fred Taylor makes semifinalist list of Pro Football Hall of Fame for 6th time

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor is a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the sixth time, stating his case once again for enshrinement.

Taylor was one of the 25 modern-era semifinalist selections on Wednesday morning, making that threshold for the sixth consecutive year. Taylor was a first-time finalist last year, making the final cut to 15 to at least have his credentials discussed by the full voting bloc.

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 during a career that spanned from 1998 to 2010. He spent all but two of those seasons in Jacksonville, finishing up his time with New England. Many feel that Taylor’s spot in Canton is long overdue.

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), both of whom aren’t yet eligible.

This may be a difficult year for Taylor to make it. Among the first-time finalists are quarterback Eli Manning, linebacker Luke Kuechly and kicker Adam Vinatieri. No more than five modern-era players can be inducted in a year. Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin is one of nine semifinalists in the Coach category for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That list will be trimmed to one finalist.

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Receiver Jimmy Smith, who, like Taylor ranks among the top five players in franchise history, was a nominee but didn’t make the cut to the 25 semifinalists. A receiver who also played in Jacksonville for one season, Torry Holt, was a semifinalist for the 11th time. Only the team’s first draft pick, Tony Boselli, who was enshrined in 2022, has made the Hall of Fame.

The initial list of 167 nominees was trimmed to 50 and now 25. From the semifinalists, a list of 15 finalists will be given to the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting bloc to discuss, debate and then vote. Former News4JAX sports director Sam Kouvaris is a longtime member of the voting contingent and presented Boselli’s case for years. Boselli was ultimately voted in.