49ers great Patrick Willis, two others named as semi-finalists for 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Class

Nov 28, 2023, 10:20 AM | Updated: 10:44 am

SANTA CLARA, CA - OCTOBER 5: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers fires the team up on the field prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Chiefs 22-17. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has officially announced their semifinalists for the 2024 class, with a few 49ers greats on the list. That includes Patrick Willis.

The committee made the announcement Tuesday morning, naming the former 49ers linebacker as one of 25 semi-finalists for 2024. Along with Willis, former wide receiver Anquan Boldin and former running back Ricky Watters were also named as potential 49ers to be inducted into the Hall of Fame next.

Willis spent his entire eight-year career with the Red & Gold, becoming one of the hardest-hitting middle linebackers to play the sport. He finished his career with 950 total tackles, 20.5 sacks, 60 TFLs, 41 QB hits and 53 passes defended. Throw in eight INTs and two touchdowns, Willis was a man on a mission during his NFL tenure, making the Pro Bowl seven times.

For each of his eight NFL seasons, Patrick Willis was part of the @49ers, with whom he is already part of the team's Hall of Fame.

Willis is a Semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2024. pic.twitter.com/AMPESgG5Qw

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 28, 2023

He has been a semifinalist five times now, advancing to the final round in last year’s class.

While only with the 49ers for three seasons, Boldin left an impact with San Francisco in the middle 2010s. Spending time with the Cardinals, Ravens, and Lions, the Florida native finished his 14-year career with 13,779 receiving yards, 1076 receptions, and 83 total TDs. During his time in the Bay Area, Boldin had over 3,000 receiving yards and 16 TDs.

He has been a semifinalist three times.

A 49er to start his career, Watters got off to a hot start in the NFL, making the Pro Bowl in his first three years. The Notre Dame alum spent time with the Eagles, and Seahawks as well. He finished his career with 14,891 scrimmage yards, and 91 total TDs in 144 career games.

He has been a semifinalist four times.

All three men were included as semi-finalists on last year’s ballot, with only Willis making it to the final round. He was edged out as the committee dropped from 15 to eight modern-era inductees.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will go through one more cut down from 25 to 15 in the coming weeks. Then, the official class of 2024 will be revealed on Feb. 8th as part of the NFL Honors telecast.

Click here for the full list of semi-finalists for the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class.