Bengals Ring of Honor member Willie Anderson reached the Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinals for the fifth straight year Wednesday when names of the remaining 25 modern-era candidates for the 2025 class were revealed.
Anderson, the dominating right tackle who played 12 of his 13 seasons in Cincinnati, heads up a list of five offensive linemen that includes three new semifinalists in guards Marshal Yanda and Steve Wisniewski and tackle Richmond Webb. Returning is Saints six-time Pro Bowl guard Jahri Evans.
Webb, Anderson's teammate on the 2001-02 Bengals, finished his career here after being named to the Pro Bowl seven times during his 11 seasons in Miami. It's the first trip to the semis for Webb, eligible since 2008, and Yanda, in his first year of eligibility. Wisniewski, an eight-time Pro Bowler who spent all 13 years with the Raiders, has been eligible since 2007 and made it to the semis for the second time and first time since 2014.
Anderson, who has made the Hall's final 15 for three straight years, became the first right tackle named to three straight All-Pro teams in 30 years during his run in Cincinnati from 1996-2007. Anderson and Evans were only offensive linemen to make the finals last year.
The cut to 15 by a board of selectors (of which Bengals.com is a member), comes in late December, followed by the finals in mid-January. Induction is set for Aug. 7-10 at the Hall in Canton, Ohio.
Yanda, who played with the Ravens from 2007-19, is a two-time All-Pro and one of six first-time eligibles: Cincinnati high school product Luke Kuechly, the Panthers linebacker, Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Patriots-Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri, Ravens pass rusher Terrell Suggs and Seattle safety Earl Thomas.
The only players who have been to the semis more than Anderson are Rams wide receiver Torry Holt, who reached it for the 11th time, and Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, who reached it for the sixth time. Pass rusher Jared Allen and cornerback Eric Allen have also made it five times.
Bengals Ring of Honor quarterback Ken Anderson is on a list of 31 senior candidates that is being cut to nine semifinalists and announced next month.
