49ers great Patrick Willis named a finalist for Hall of Fame's Class of 2024

In his fifth year of eligibility, former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis has earned a spot among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This marks his third consecutive year as a finalist.

Selected as the No. 11 overall draft pick by the 49ers in 2007, Willis enjoyed an illustrious eight-season career with San Francisco, retiring after the 2014 season. He earned seven Pro Bowl selections and was named first-team All-Pro five times during his career.

Willis finished his career with 950 tackles, 60 tackles for a loss, 41 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, eight interceptions, two scores, 53 passes defensed, and 16 forced fumbles. He surpassed 100 tackles in six out of his eight seasons and led the league in tackles twice.

In September, a total of 173 nominees were announced, which was later narrowed down to 25 semifinalists in November. Willis's exceptional contributions to the game have now positioned him as a finalist for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The following is a list of the 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

• Eric Allen, DB -- 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-1997 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
• Jared Allen, DE – 2004-2007 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-2015 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, OT -- 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Jahri Evans, OL -- 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• Dwight Freeney, DE -- 2002-2012 Indianapolis Colts, 2013-14 San Diego Chargers, 2015 Arizona Cardinals, 2016 Atlanta Falcons, 2017 Detroit Lions, 2017 Seattle Seahawks
• Antonio Gates, TE -- 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
• Rodney Harrison, DB -- 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-2008 New England Patriots
• Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR -- 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2015 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens, 2016 Seattle Seahawks
• Torry Holt, WR -- 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andre Johnson, WR -- 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
• Julius Peppers, DE -- 2002-2009/2017-2018 Carolina Panthers, 2010-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2016 Green Bay Packers
• Fred Taylor, RB -- 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
• Reggie Wayne, WR -- 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Patrick Willis, LB -- 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
• Darren Woodson, S -- 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys