Former New Orleans Saints standout Jahri Evans and New Orleans native Reggie Wayne are among 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024, released Wednesday by HOF officials.
Cornerback Eric Allen, who played for the Saints from 1995-97 during a 14-year NFL career, also made the finalist list for the first time. Tight end Antonio Gates and defensive end Julius Peppers were the only candidates to make the cut in their first year of eligibility. Both last played in the 2018 season.
Evans, who started at right guard for 11 seasons during the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era, was one of two offensive linemen who made the cut, along with former Cincinnati Bengals tackle Willie Anderson. This is the first year that Evans has been a finalist.
Wayne, a former standout at John Ehret and the University of Miami, is a finalist for the fifth consecutive time.
The other modern-era semifinalists are Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Rodney Harrison, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Fred Taylor, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.
The candidacies of the modern-era finalists will be presented by the 49-member Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee in January, where a vote will be conducted by the committee to determine the Class of 2024. The class will be announced at 8 p.m. on Feb. 8 during the NFL Honors telecast at Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas.
Coach/contributor committee nominee Buddy Parker, and senior nominees Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell are also candidates for induction.
Evans, who starred for the Saints from 2006-16, is trying to become the first member of the Saints' 2009 Super Bowl team to earn induction to the Hall. Brees is eligible for induction in the Class of 2026.
For 11 seasons, Evans anchored one of the most prolific offenses in NFL history and became one of the most decorated linemen ever for the Saints. He was named to the NFL's 2010s All-Decade Team and earned first-team All-Pro honors four times. He was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2021 and to the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in July.
Wayne had 14,345 yards on 1,070 receptions with 82 touchdowns for the Colts from 2001-2014. He ranks 10th all-time in both receiving yards and receptions and was a six-time Pro Bowler. He earned first-team AP All-Pro honors in 2010. He didn't miss a game between 2002-2012, and his streak of 189 consecutive games played is the third-longest by a wide receiver in NFL history. Wayne was inducted into the Colts' Ring of Honor in 2018.
While there is no set number for any class of inductees, the selection process bylaws provide that between four and nine new members will be selected for enshrinement, with a maximum of five modern-era players among the inductees.
The full list of modern-era finalists:
Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a finalist: 1 – 2024)
Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a finalist: 4 – 2021-24)
Willie Anderson, OT – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a finalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Jahri Evans, OG – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a finalist: 1 – 2024)
Dwight Freeney, DE – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions | (Times as a finalist: 2 – 2023-2024)
Antonio Gates, TE – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (Times as a finalist: 1 – 2024)
Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a finalist: 1 -- 2024)
Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a finalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a finalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Andre Johnson, WR – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans | (Times as a finalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Julius Peppers, DE – DE – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers (Times as a finalist: 1 – 2024)
Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a finalist: 1 – 2024)
Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a finalist: 5 – 2020-24)
Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers | (Times as a finalist: 3 – 2022-24)
Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a finalist: 2 – 2023-24)