Two longtime Carolina Panthers and one NC State legend are finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2025.

Steve Smith and Luke Kuechly are among the 15 players who made the cut in the Modern-Era Player category. Smith spent the bulk of his career with Carolina and Kuechly played all eight of his pro seasons in Charlotte.

Kuechly won defensive player of the year in 2013 and made the Pro Bowl seven times. Smith made his living as a fiery, athletic receiver who made the Pro Bowl five times and is in the Carolina Panthers Hall of Honor.

Torry Holt, who starred on the “greatest show on turf” St. Louis Rams teams and played at NC State in the mid 1990s, is one of three wide receivers on the list. This is Holt’s sixth time as a finalist.

Holt helped the Rams win Super Bowl XXXIV and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection. Holt’s number (81) is retired at State and he also played at Eastern Guilford High School in Gibsonville.

The class will be unveiled on Feb. 6 during the NFL Honors ceremony. New members will be enshrined at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, in August.

Jared Allen, who played part of his final season in Carolina, is also a finalist.

The complete list of modern-era finalists is below.

• Eric Allen, Cornerback — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders
• Jared Allen, Defensive End — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, Tackle — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Jahri Evans, Guard — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers
• Antonio Gates, Tight End — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers
• Torry Holt, Wide Receiver — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Luke Kuechly, Linebacker — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers
• Eli Manning, Quarterback — 2004-2019 New York Giants
• Steve Smith Sr., Wide Receiver — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens
• Terrell Suggs, Outside Linebacker/Defensive End — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs
• Fred Taylor, Running Back — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots
• Adam Vinatieri, Kicker — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts
• Reggie Wayne, Wide Receiver — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Darren Woodson, Safety — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys
• Marshal Yanda, Guard/Tackle — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens

The Selection Committee may elect up to five Modern-Era Players for the Class of 2025; each must receive a minimum positive vote of 80% for election. Five others — Seniors category Finalists Maxie Baughan, Sterling Sharpe and Jim Tyrer; along with Coach Finalist Mike Holmgren and Contributor Finalist Ralph Hay — also are candidates for the Class of 2025.

Source: wralsportsfan.com