Drafted 8^th overall by the San Diego Chargers in 1986, Leslie O'Neal made an immediate impact in the NFL by winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year and accumulating 12.5 Sacks.  He suffered a knee injury that took him out for a year and a half, but by 1989 he was ready to return, and he was named to the Pro Bowl in six of his next seven seasons, each time recording at least 12 Sacks.  O'Neal was one of the most ferocious pass rushers of his day, but his interrupted prime and time with a Chargers team not known for defense have impacted his overall legacy.

O’Neal finished his career with St. Louis and Kansas City and would retire with 132.5 Sacks over his career.

Jessie Tuggle went undrafted out of Valdosta State, but the home-state Atlanta Falcons signed him, and he went on to a 209 Game career, all in the Peach State.  Tuggle was at Inside Linebacker for years before moving to Middle Linebacker, but regardless of where he was in the interior, few NFL players could tackle more efficiently than he could. 

A five-time Pro Bowl Selection, Tuggle played his entire professional career with Atlanta, but that didn't necessarily mean he drew much attention outside the ATL.  The Falcons were not good for most of Tuggle's career, and that undoubtedly led to plenty of tackling opportunities.  He would lead the NFL in Combined Tackles four times (1990, 1991, 1992 & 1995) and had seven seasons in the top ten.  The Falcons improved late in his career, and he tasted playoff success and played in Super Bowl XXXIII.

As of this writing, Tuggle is the all-time leader in Solo Tackles.  You have to think that anyone who leads the National Football League historically in the critical metric of Solo Tackles (albeit, this stat was not always kept) should give him a (small) chance for Canton.

Joe Fortunato played his entire career with the Chicago Bears, the team that drafted him in the 7^th Round in 1952. 

While the Linebacker was chosen for the 1950's All-Decade Team, many of his accolades took place in the 1960s.  Four of his five Pro Bowls came in the '60s, as did all three of his First Team All-Pro Selections.  As for his team accomplishments, Fortunato was a vital part of the 1963 Bears Championship Team.  He would record 16 Interceptions and recover 22 Fumbles over his career, the latter of which was a record when he retired.   Not too bad for a guy who looked undersized for his position!

The respected website, Football Nation, referred to Dan Towler as the “greatest running back you don’t know”, and they may be on to something, as despite winning an NFL Championship with the Los Angeles Rams in 1951 when he was their star rusher, he was overshadowed by more prominent names throughout his brief career in professional football.

Towler came to the Rams with no fanfare or even the remotest of expectations as a 25^th Round Pick from Washington & Jefferson, so for him to also make the team had to be considered a win.  Towler saw limited action as a rookie, but in his second season, he was a large part of their offense, rushing for 854 Yards and going to the first of four straight Pro Bowls.  With Towler’s help, the Rams won the NFL Championship that year (1951), and in 1952, he would lead the league in Rushing Yards (894) and Rushing Touchdowns (10), earning First Team All-Pro honors.  The Fullback would again rush for over 800 Yards in 1953, and he led the NFL in Rushing Touchdowns for the second time in 1954.  His play declined rapidly due to injury, and he retired after 1955, but there was no doubt he was an elite player for a few seasons in the early 50s.