Jacksonville Jaguars legend Fred Taylor has made the semifinal cut for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2026.
Taylor is among 26 modern-era semifinalists for next year's class. This year marks the seventh consecutive year that Taylor has been named a semifinalist.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementFormer Jaguars receiver Jimmy Smith was among the initial list of modern-era players, but did not cut the semifinals.
Jacksonville drafted Taylor with the ninth-overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. He ran for 11,695 yards and 66 touchdowns in 13 seasons. He ran for 11,271 yards and 62 touchdowns while with Jacksonville from 1998-08.
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Taylor was among the 15 finalists for last year's class. This year's modern-era finalists will be announced in late December.
Players who are in their first year of eligibility and named semifinalists include quarterback Drew Brees, receiver Larry Fitzgerald, RB Frank Gore, QB Phillip Rivers and tight end Jason Witten.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Hall of Fame will typically name four modern-era players into the Hall. Last year, defensive back Eric Allen, DE Jared Allen, TE Antonio Gates and WR Sterling Sharpe were named to the Hall.
Jaguars EVP of football operations Tony Boselli is the only former Jaguars player in the Hall of Fame. He joined the elite class of players in the Class of 2022, joined by Jacksonville native and Green Bay Packers safety LeRoy Butler.
Boselli played left tackle for Jacksonville from 1995-01.
In all, the Hall will have 20 total finalists with the inclusion of three seniors, one coach and a contributor. The class will be announced live on the "NFL Honors" during the Super Bowl and enshrined in Canton in August.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDemetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars' Fred Taylor named 2026 Hall of Fame semifinalist
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