Selected in the second round (34th overall) of the 2014 draft out of Boise State, DeMarcus Lawrence came to Dallas as a decorated collegiate pass rusher. A two-time First-Team All-MWC selection, the athletic edge defender broke his foot during his first training camp, delaying his debut until midseason. He quickly made up for lost time in the playoffs, securing a game-clinching fumble recovery against Detroit to announce his presence as a big-game playmaker.

After flashing starter potential with an 8.0-sack campaign in 2015, "Tank" unleashed his full breakout in 2017. Armed with an explosive bull-rush, relentless motor, and elite hand combat, Lawrence terrorized opposing backfields to the tune of 14.5 sacks, finishing tied for second in the NFL and placing fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He proved that peak was no fluke in 2018, backing it up with 10.5 sacks to earn his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod and secure a lucrative long-term extension as the anchor of Dallas's defensive front.

What separated Lawrence from pure speed rushers was his exceptional, dirty-work impact in the run game. Consistently setting a hard edge, setting up twists for teammates, and blowing up plays before they could turn the corner, he developed into one of the most complete, two-way defensive ends in football. Even as Micah Parsons arrived to share the pass-rushing spotlight, Lawrence remained the vocal heartbeat of the unit, earning two additional Pro Bowl nods in 2022 and 2023.

Lawrence became a free agent in March 2025 and signed a three-year deal with the Seattle Seahawks, ending his decade in Big D. He quickly proved his value by helping their top-ranked defense and won his first Lombardi Trophy at Super Bowl LX.  As a Cowboy, he had 61.5 sacks, 450 combined tackles, 93 tackles for loss, 21 forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns.

A product of Florida Atlantic, Trey Hendrickson spent his first four NFL seasons building a foundation with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. It was in the jungle that he transformed into a game-wrecking edge rusher, becoming a premier force for Cincinnati's defense.

Hendrickson relied on explosive initial get-off, exceptional dip-and-rip ankle flexion, and relentless closing speed. Operating as the right defensive end, his defining trait was converting speed to power on the edge, relentlessly harassing opposing quarterbacks and collapsing the pocket.

Hendrickson’s impact was immediate and explosive upon arriving in 2021. Silencing critics who doubted his contract, he set a then-career high with 14.0 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles in his debut season. He established a franchise record by recording at least half a sack in 11 consecutive games, earned his first Pro Bowl selection, and led a revitalized defense to Super Bowl LVI, where he added another 3.5 sacks during Cincinnati's postseason run.

In 2022, despite battling a wrist injury that put him in a protective cast, Hendrickson remained a constant threat. He tallied 8.0 sacks, 26 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles in 15 starts, earning his second straight Pro Bowl nod as Cincinnati captured its second consecutive AFC North title and advanced to the AFC Championship Game.

Hendrickson reached a new level of dominance in 2023, recording 17.5 sacks (tying the Bengals' single-season franchise record), 16 tackles for loss, and 43 quarterback hits. His high-volume disruption earned him a third consecutive Pro Bowl selection and solidified his standing as one of the NFL's premier game-wreckers.

His peak came in 2024, when he delivered a historic pass-rushing masterclass. Hendrickson captured the NFL sack title with a league-leading 17.5 sacks and added 19 tackles for loss, 36 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles. Highlighted by a dominant 4.0-sack performance against the Raiders in Week 9, Hendrickson earned First-Team All-Pro honors and his fourth straight Pro Bowl selection, and finished second in the AP Defensive Player of the Year voting.

Following a public offseason contract saga, Hendrickson agreed to a restructured one-year deal to play out the 2025 season in Cincinnati. However, injuries derailed his fifth year in Queen City, limiting him to just seven games and 4.0 sacks.

With the team opting not to apply the franchise tag in early 2026, the long-standing contract impasse reached its final chapter, and Hendrickson departed in free agency to sign with the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. He generated 61.0 sacks, 55 tackles for loss, 132 quarterback hits, and nine forced fumbles in Cincinnati.

Reunited, and it feels so good.

Selected fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of LSU, Ja’Marr Chase wasted no time proving that his championship chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow translated seamlessly to the professional ranks. Arriving in Cincinnati as a dynamic deep threat, Chase immediately stepped in as the focal point of the Bengals' aerial attack.

Chase combines precise route-running with elite acceleration and excellent contact balance as a running back after catching the ball. Mainly playing on the perimeter, he has a remarkable ability to leap and twist his body to catch contested passes in tight coverage. Once he has the ball, Chase is a nightmare for defenders, turning short passes like hitches and slants into explosive plays that often result in long touchdowns.

Chase started strong in 2021, delivering one of the most impressive rookie seasons for a receiver in NFL history. He caught 81 passes for 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, setting a franchise record for single-season receiving yards. He was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and received his first Pro Bowl selection along with a Second-Team All-Pro nod. In the postseason, he continued his strong performance with 368 receiving yards, helping Cincinnati reach Super Bowl LVI.

That first burst of activity triggered an unparalleled streak of high-quality production. Even with four games missed due to a hip injury in 2022, Chase achieved 1,046 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, earning his second Pro Bowl selection. In 2023, he surpassed 100 catches with 100 receptions for 1,216 yards, securing his third straight Pro Bowl appearance.

His peak came during a historic 2024 campaign, where Chase was an unstoppable force in Cincinnati's offense. He achieved the NFL’s receiving "Triple Crown" by leading the league in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and receiving touchdowns (17). This outstanding season earned him Consensus First-Team All-Pro honors, his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl, and strong consideration for NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year. He continued this elite level through the 2025 season, with 125 catches, 1,412 yards, and eight touchdowns, earning his fifth straight Pro Bowl.

So far, Chase has appeared in 78 regular-season games, amassing 520 receptions, 6,837 receiving yards, and 54 receiving touchdowns, and has a lot more to accomplish in the Jungle.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com are asking all of you for a huge favor!!!

As most of you know, we have collectively created the United States Athletics Hall of Fame, which, as the name suggests, is an amalgamation of ALL American Sports. Your contributions have been invaluable in this journey.

A group of former athletes, coaches, writers, and bloggers help determine the ballot, which is then sent to all of you. It is now time to determine the second class of the USAHOF.

For reference, you can check here to see who was inducted in 2023.

This is where we ask you for your support.

When you have a chance, please click on these links and vote on who you think should comprise the second USAHOF Class:

Athletes can be voted on here.

Coaches can be voted on here.

Contributors can be voted on here.

Voting can be done once per day.

It would mean a lot to us if you would take the time to vote and vote often!