Weeks ago, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the 162 Preliminary Senior Candidates for the Class of 2026. This has now been reduced to 52.
The remaining candidates are:
Quarterbacks (5):
Ken Anderson: CIN 1971-86. Anderson was the consensus MVP in 1981 and the four-time Pro Bowl would pass for 32,838 Yards and 197 Touchdowns. He was also the 1975 Walter Payton Man of the Year and historically brought the Cincinnati Bengals to their first Super Bowl. Ranked #8 on notinhalloffame.com.
Charlie Conerly: NYG 1948-61. Conerly was a 1956 New York Giants NFL Championship Team member, was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection, and accumulated 19,488 Yards and 173 TDs. Ranked #50 on notinhalloffame.com.
Roman Gabriel: LAR 1962-72 & PHI 1973-77. Gabriel was the league MVP in 1969, earning four Pro Bowls and a First Team All-Pro, and he threw for 29,444 Yards and 201 TDs. Ranked #35 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jack Kemp: PIT 1957, LAC/SD 1960-62 & BUF 1962-69. A seven-time AFL All-Star, Kemp led the Bills to two AFL Championships, where he was the MVP in both games. He is also a former AFL MVP. Ranked #118 on notinhalloffame.com.
Don Meredith: DAL 1960-1968. “Dandy Don” went to three Pro Bowls and won the 1966 Bert Bell Award. He threw for 135 Touchdowns and 17,199 Yards.
The Quarterbacks who were cut were John Hadl, Earl Morrall, Jim Plunkett & Doug Williams.
Running Backs (6):
Ottis Anderson: STL 1979-86 & NYG 1986-92. Anderson had a monster rookie campaign for St. Louis and would later win two Super Bowls with New York, where he was named a Super Bowl MVP. He had 10,273 Rushing Yards, 3,063 Receiving Yards, and 86 Touchdowns from Scrimmage. Ranked #69 on notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Brown: WAS 1969-76. Brown won the 1972 AP MVP and Offensive Player of the Year and was also a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro Running Back. He had 8,360 Yards from Scrimmage with 55 TDs. Ranked #109 on notinhalloffame.com.
Roger Craig: SFO 1983-90, RAI 1991 & MIN 1992-93. The first player to accumulate 1,000 Yards Rushing and Receiving, Craig won three Super Bowls, was the Offensive Player of the Year, earned four Pro Bowls, and was a First Team All-Pro. From Scrimmage, he had 73 Touchdowns and 13,100 Yards, Ranked #15 on notinhalloffame.com.
Chuck Foreman: MIN 1973-79 & NWE 1980. Foreman went to the Pro Bowl in his first five seasons, and the 1973 Offensive Rookie of the Year was a two-time YFS TD leader. He compiled 9,106 Yards from Scrimmage. Ranked #79 on notinhalloffame.com.
Cecil Isbell: GNB 1938-42. Isbell only played five seasons, but was a four-time Pro Bowl selection, a two-time Touchdown leader, and a two-time leader in Passing Yards. He also helped Green Bay win the NFL Championship in 1939 and was named to the 1930s All-Decade Team. Ranked #72 on notinhalloffame.com.
Paul “Tank” Younger: RAM 1949-57 & PIT 58. Younger won an NFL Championship with the Los Angeles Rams and was a four-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Younger rushed for 3,640 Yards and 34 Touchdowns and was also a potent Linebacker. Ranked #196 on notinhalloffame.com.
The ten Running Backs who were cut were Alan Ameche, Earnest Byner, John David Crow, Verne Lewellen, Jack Manders, Mercury Morris, Don Perkins, Billy Sims, Herschel Walker, and Byron “Whizzer” White.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends (9):
Mark Clayton: MIA 1983-92 & GNB 1993. Clayton was Dan Marino’s best weapon and had two years where he led the NFL in Touchdown Receptions. He had 84 TDs and 8,974 Yards. Ranked #269 on notinhalloffame.com.
Isaac Curtis: CIN 1973-84. Curtis was a Pro Bowl Selection in his first four years and a three-time Second-Team All-Pro. He had 7,101 Receiving Yards and 53 Touchdowns.
Lavvie Dilweg: MIL 1926 & GNB 1927-34. Dilwag was a three-time NFL Champion with Green Bay and was chosen for the 1920s All-Decade Team. Ranked #6 on notinhalloffame.com.
Henry Ellard: RAM 1983-93, WAS 1994-98 & NEW 1998. Ellard compiled 13,777 Yards and 65 Touchdowns in a career where he once led the NFL in Receiving Yards. He is also a three-time Pro Bowl and one-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #64 on notinhalloffame.com.
Harold Jackson: RAM 1968 & 1973-77, PHI 1969-72, BEW 1978-81, MIN 1982 & SEA 1983. A five-time Pro Bowler, Jackson won two Receiving Yards Titles and compiled 10,372 Yards and 76 Touchdowns. Ranked #49 on notinhalloffame.com.
Billy “White Shoes” Johnson: HOU 1974-80, ATL 1982-87 & WAS 1988. One of the most prolific Returners in football history, Johnson had 10,795 All-Purpose Yards and was a three-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #114 on notinhalloffame.com.
Stanley Morgan: NWE 1977-89 & IND 1990. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Stanley Morgan compiled 72 Touchdowns with 10,716 Receiving Yards. He was also a three-time leader in Yards per Reception. Ranked #266 on notinhalloffame.com.
Art Powell: PHI 1959, NYT 1960-62, OAK 1963-66, BUF 1967 & MIN 1968. Powell, who was a Finalist last year, was a two-time Receiving Yards leader in the AFL. A four-time AFL-All-Star and two-time First Team All-Pro, Powell had 8,046 Yards and 81 Touchdowns. Ranked #165 on notinhalloffame.com.
Otis Taylor: KAN 1965-75. Taylor won two AFL Championships and a Super Bowl with Kansas City, who had 60 TDs and 7,467 Yards From Scrimmage. He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #32 on notinhalloffame.com.
The twenty-one Wide Receivers/Tight Ends who were cut were Fred Arbanas, Todd Christensen, Gary Collins, Caroll Dale, Boyd Dowler, Mark Duper, Jimmy Giles, Charley Hennigan, Billy Howton, Keith Jackson, Brent Jones, Homer Jones, Steve Jordan, Eric Martin, Jay Novacek, Del Shofner, John Taylor, Lionel Taylor, Rick Upchurch, Bobby Walston, and Billy Wilson.
Offensive Lineman (11):
Jay Hilgenberg: CHI 1981-91, CLE 1992 & NOR 1993. Hilgenberg was the Center for the Super Bowl Shuffle-winning team, and the two-time First Team All-Pro also had a seven-year run of Pro Bowls from 1985 to 1991. Ranked #67 on notinhalloffame.com.
Chris Hinton: BAL 1984, IND 1984-89, ATL 1990-1993 & MIN 1994-95. Hinton went to six Pro Bowls, five of which were as a Colt. Ranked #166 on notinhalloffame.com.
Joe Jacoby: WAS 1981-93. A famed member of the Hogs, Jacoby was part of all three of Washington’s Super Bowl wins and was a four-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #33 on notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Kenn: ATL 1978-94. Kenn is one of the finest offensive linemen in Falcons history, and the Left Tackle would earn five Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pros. Ranked #61 on notinhalloffame.com.
Bob Kuechenberg: MIA 1970-83. The versatile Lineman was a significant component in Miami’s back-to-back Super Bowl Championships in the early 70s, and he was also named to six Pro Bowls and one First Team All-Pro. Ranked #30 on notinhalloffame.com.
Marvin Powell: NYJ 1977-85 & TAM 1986-87. Powell went to five straight Pro Bowls (1979-83) with a First Team All-Pro Selection in three of them. Ranked #213 on notinhalloffame.com.
Dick Schafrath: CLE 1959-71. A Cleveland Brown for the entirety of his career, Schafrath was a six-time Pro Bowl and three-time First Team All-Pro at Left Tackle. He is also a former NFL Champion. Ranked #27 on notinhalloffame.com.
*Jerry Sisemore: PHI 1973-84. Sisemore went to two Pro Bowls and helped the Philadelphia Eagles reach their first Super Bowl.
Walt Sweeney: SDG 1963-73 & WAS 1974-75. Sweeney won an AFL Championship with San Diego, and the Guard was chosen for nine consecutive AFL All-Stars/NFL Pro Bowls (1963-72). He was also a two-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #55 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Tyrer: DTX 1961-62, KAN 1963-73 & WAS 1974. A three-time AFL Champion with the Texans/Chiefs, the Left Tackle was a six-time First Team All-Pro and nine-time AFL All-Star/Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #13 on notinhalloffame.com.
Al Wistert: PHI 1943-51. Wistert was an All-Decade player of the 1940s who propelled Philadelphia to two NFL Championships. He was also a four-time First Team All-Pro. Ranked #31 on notinhalloffame.com.
The twenty-four Offensive Linemen who were cut were Hunk Anderson, Bruce Armstrong, Stew Barber, Dick Barwegan, Ed Budde, Ox Emerson, Gale Gillingham, Buckets Goldenberg, Dennis Harrah, George Kunz, Riley Matheson, Max Montoya, Jon Morris, Ralph Nelly, John Niland, Bart Oates, Duane Putnam, Doug Smith, Bob Talamini, Fuzzy Thurston, Bob Vogel, Ed White, and Ray Wietcha.
Defensive Linemen (4):
L.C. Greenwood: PIT 1969-81. Greenwood was a vital member of the Steelers' 1970s dynasty that won four Super Bowls. A six-time Prowl and two-time First Team All-Pro, Greenwood accumulated 78 Sacks. Ranked #5 on notinhalloffame.com.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones: DAL 1974-78 & 1980-89. Jones had 106 Sacks over his career that netted him three Pro Bowls, a First Team All-Pro, and a Super Bowl ring. Ranked #283 on notinhalloffame.com.
Jim Marshall: CLE 1960 & MIN 1961-78. The ironman of his day, Marshall brought the Vikings to four Super Bowl appearances and was a two-time Pro Bowl Selection along the way. He had 130.5 lifetime Sacks. Ranked #37 on notinhalloffame.com.
Harvey Martin: DAL 1973-83. Martin won the AP Defensive Player of the Year in 1977 and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys. He had 114 career Sacks. Ranked #119 on notinhalloffame.com.
The eleven Defensive Linemen who were cut were Houston Antwine, Gene Brito, Roger Brown, Earl Faison, Mark Gastineau, Leonard Marshall, Jerry Mays, Tom Sestak, Fred Smerlas, Neil Smith, and Bill Stanfill.
Linebackers (8):
Carl Banks: NYG 1984-92, WAS 1993 & CLE 1994-95. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Giants, Banks was a one-time All-Pro with 860 career Tackles. Ranked #234 in notinhalloffame.com.
Maxie Baughan: PHI 1960-65, RAM 1966-70 & WAS 1974. Baughan was an NFL Champion with Philadelphia and was a nine-time Pro Bowl Selection. He was also a one-time First Team All-Pro and five-time Second Team All-Pro. Ranked #14 on notinhalloffame.com.
Mike Curtis: BAL 1965-75, SEA 1976 & WAS 1977-78. Curtis helped Baltimore win Super Bowl V and, individually, was a one-time First Team All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowl recipient. Ranked #183 on notinhalloffame.com.
Larry Grantham: NYT 1960-62 & NYJ 1963-72. Grantham was a five-time AFL All-Star and three-time First Team All-Pro, who was part of the historical Jets team that won Super Bowl III. Ranked #60 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lee Roy Jordan: DAL 1963-76. Playing his entire career with the Cowboys, Jordan patrolled the interior and was a five-time Pro Bowler in the process. He also won a Super Bowl with Big D. Ranked #35 on notinhalloffame.com.
Clay Matthews Jr.: CLE 1978-93 & ATL 1994-96. Matthews Jr. was a three-time leader in Combined Tackles with 1,595 overall. A four-time Pro Bowl Selection, Matthews Jr. also had 82.5 Sacks and 16 Interceptions. Ranked #100 on notinhalloffame.com.
Matt Millen: OAK 1980-81, RAI 1982-88, SFO 1989-90 & WAS 1991. The one-time Pro Bowler won four Super Bowls over his career.
Tommy Nobis: ATL 1966-78. Nobis was the Rookie of the Year and a five-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #36 on notinhalloffame.com.
The thirteen Linebackers who were cut were Bill Bergey, Matt Blair, Joe Fortunato, Tim Harris, E.J. Holub, Vaughn Johnson, Seth Joyner, Greg Lloyd, Wilber Marshall, Rod Martin, Bud McFadin, Karl Mecklenberg, Isiah Robertson, Pat Swilling, Darryl Talley, and Keena Turner.
Defensive Backs (8):
Dick Anderson: MIA 1968-77. Anderson was the 1968 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the 1973 Defensive Player of the Year, and won two Super Bowls. A two-time First Team All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl Selection, Anderson had 24 Interceptions. Ranked #93 on notinhalloffame.com.
Bobby Boyd: BAL 1960-68. Boyd won an NFL Championship with the Colts and was a three-time First Team All-Pro. He led the league in Interceptions in 1965, with a total of 57. Ranked #39 on notinhalloffame.com.
Pat Fischer: STL 1961-67 & WAS 1968-77. Fischer recorded 56 Interceptions (29 with St. Louis & 27 with Washington) and was twice named to the Pro Bowl. Ranked #132 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lester Hayes: OAK 1977-81 & RAI 1982-86. A two-time Super Bowl Champion with the Raiders, Hayes was the consensus Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. The Cornerback was a one-time First Team All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowl Selection, and had 39 picks over his career. Ranked #17 on notinhalloffame.com.
Albert Lewis: KAN 1983-93, RAI 1994 & OAK 1995-98. Lewis went to four straight Pro Bowls (1987-90), was a two-time First Team All-Pro, and compiled 42 Interceptions. Ranked #104 on notinhalloffame.com.
Eddie Meador: RAM 1959-70. Meador is one of the most prolific Defensive Backs in RMS history and was a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time First Team All-Pro. He amassed a franchise record of 46 Interceptions. Ranked #68 on notinhalloffame.com.
Lemar Parrish: CIN 1970-77, WAS 1978-81 & BUF 1982. Parrish went to eight Pro Bowls with a First Team All-Pro while recording 47 Interceptions. Ranked #16 on notinhalloffame.com.
Everson Walls: DAL 1981-89, NYG 1990-92 & CLE 1992-93. Walls had 57 Interceptions and was a four-time Pro Bowl Selection with a Super Bowl ring with the Giants. Ranked #87 on notinhalloffame.com.
The nineteen Defensive Backs who were cut were Dave Brown, Joey Browner, Butch Byrd, Thom Darden, Don Doll, Goose Gonsoulin, Dave Grayson, Cornell Green, Merton Hanks, Warren Lahr, Tim McDonald, Jimmy Patton, Eugene Robinson, George Saimes, Jake Scott, Dennis Smith, Jack Tatum, Charlie Waters, Abe Woodson, and Louis Wright.
Punters/Kickers (0)
All three Kickers were cut. Those players were Jim Bakken, Jim Breech, and Nick Lowery.
Special Teams (1)
Steve Tasker: HOU 1985-86 & BUF 1986-97. Tasker went to four Super Bowls with Buffalo and was a seven-time Pro Bowl Selection. Ranked #144 on notinhalloffame.com.
Only Mel Gray was cut.
This group will be cut to 25 next month.
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