Former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson has moved forward into the next phase of the 2025 Hall of Fame class process.
For the third straight year and eighth time overall, Woodson makes the semifinal list as Dallas’ all-time leading tackler once again hopes to be enshrined. He is the only Cowboys player to make the list in 2025.
Woodson was a catalyst on all three Cowboys Super Bowl-winning teams in the early ’90s. He was a three-time first-team All-Pro and was selected to five Pro Bowls during his 12-year career. His 827 solo tackles are unofficially the most in Cowboys history.
He was beaten to the Hall by three other safeties who played in his era. Tampa Bay’s John Lynch, Green Bay’s Leroy Butler, and Philadelphia’s Brian Dawkins, all made it to the Hall of Fame despite Woodson having more Super Bowl rings than all three combined.
Dallas finished first in total defense in 1992 and 1994 while allowing the fewest points in the 1993 season.
While he wasn’t the first person to do so, Woodson helped shape how defenses counter the modern passing game. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound college linebacker converted to safety in the NFL but would also play in the slot. He helped with tackling inside the box and was fast enough to play on the back end of a defense.
The Hall of Fame committee will have some interesting debates to untangle. The biggest thing Woodson has going for him is his three Super Bowl wins, the same argument as first-time eligible and two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Eli Manning.
If elected, Woodson would be the 33rd Cowboys player to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the 17th member to be in both the Hall and the Cowboys ring of honor.
Cowboys defenders Chuck Howley and DeMarcus Ware were the last Dallas players to be inducted back in 2023.