Legendary Florida running back [autotag]Fred Taylor[/autotag] was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 on Wednesday.
Although he has been eligible for nine seasons, the 2025 cycle marks the first time Taylor was selected as a finalist.
The selection committee cut the list of 25 semifinalists down to 15 finalists, including Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Willie Anderson, Jahri Evans, Dwight Freeney, Antonio Gates, Rodney Harrison, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers, Reggie Wayne, Darren Woodson and Patrick Willis.
The 2024 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted on Feb. 8. After that, the committee will reconvene and cut the list of finalists down to 10 players, then five. Once the five players have been selected for consideration, the committee votes, with players needing 80% or more to vote in their favor.
Taylor won a national championship in 1996 as a member of Steve Spurrier’s Florida Gators. He spent three seasons in Gainesville, totaling 3,075 yards and 31 touchdowns on 537 carries.
Taylor left Florida in 1998 for the NFL draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars selected him with the ninth overall pick, and he stayed there for 11 of his 13 seasons in the pros. He ranks 17th all-time in career rushing yards.
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