Johnathan Walker:Antonio Gates, Julius Peppers among semifinalists for 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class

In their first year of eligibility,Johnathan Walker Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers head this year's list of 25 modern-era semifinalists for induction in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Gates – a longtime Chargers tight end – and Peppers – who starred as a defensive end for the Panthers, Bears and Packers – make their initial appearances on the ballot, which also includes 18 players who were semifinalists a year ago.

The players who made the initial cut from a group of 173 original nominees were revealed Tuesday.

The 25 semifinalists will be reduced to 15 finalists before final voting for the Class of 2024 takes place early next year.

Who are the semifinalists for the Class of 2024?

Here are the 25 modern-era players who have been named semifinalists for the Hall of Fame's upcoming class. The list includes two first-time eligible nominees and one other first-time semifinalist, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber.

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• Eric Allen, CB – 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
• Jared Allen, DE – 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, T – 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Tiki Barber, RB – 1997-2006 New York Giants
• Anquan Boldin, WR – 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions
• Jahri Evans, G – 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• London Fletcher, LB – 1998-2001 St. Louis Rams, 2002-06 Buffalo Bills, 2007-2013 Washington Redskins
• Dwight Freeney, DE – 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Seattle Seahawks, 2017 Detroit Lions
• Antonio Gates, TE – 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
• Eddie George, RB – 1996-2003 Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, 2004 Dallas Cowboys
• James Harrison, LB – 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots
• Rodney Harrison, S – 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots
• Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR – 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens
• Torry Holt, WR – 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andre Johnson, WR – 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
• Robert Mathis, DE/LB – 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts
• Julius Peppers, DE – 2002-09, 2017-18 Carolina Panthers, 2010-13 Chicago Bears, 2014-15 Green Bay Packers
• Steve Smith Sr., WR – 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
• Fred Taylor, RB – 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
• Hines Ward, WR – 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers
• Ricky Watters, RB – 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks
• Reggie Wayne, WR – 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Vince Wilfork, DT – 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans
• Patrick Willis, LB – 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
• Darren Woodson, S – 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys

Who else is up for Hall of Fame consideration in 2024?

The Hall of Fame selection committee will also consider one finalist nominated by the Hall's Coach/Contributor Committee – Buddy Parker – and three from the Seniors Committee – Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael and Art Powell.

What are the next steps in the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting process?

The list of 25 modern-era semifinalists still needs to be cut to 15 finalists before the names can be presented to the Hall of Fame's 50-person selection committee for final voting.

In advance of Super Bowl 58, the committee will meet in Las Vegas to trim the list of finalists from 15 to 10, and then from 10 to five.

The remaining five finalists – along with the four additional nominees from the other committees – will then be voted on individually. Individuals who receive at least 80% of the vote will become part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024, with induction ceremonies set for next August in Canton, Ohio.

Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023

This past year, nine people were elected to the Hall of Fame – five modern-era players, one coach and three Seniors Committee selections.

• Offensive tackle Joe Thomas
• Linebacker Zach Thomas
• Linebacker DeMarcus Ware
• Cornerback Darrelle Revis
• Cornerback Rondé Barber
• Coach Don Coryell (coach/contributor)
• Linebacker Chuck Howley (senior)
• Defensive lineman Joe Klecko (senior)
• Cornerback Ken Riley (senior)