Three former Miami stars are finalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame class

Three former Miami Hurricanes are finalists to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2022 class. Receivers Andre Johnson and Reggie Wayne, as well as return specialist Devin Hester are all on the ballot.

It was the first year of eligibility for all three players. The Pro Football Hall of Fame class will be inducted during NFL Honors, which airs on ABC at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 10.

Johnson was a member of the Hurricanes’ most recent national championship team in 2001. The Houston Texas took him third overall in the 2003 NFL draft. The receiver went on to earn seven Pro Bowl appearances, twice leading the league in receiving yards (2008 and 2009). His 13,597 career receiving yards with Houston are nearly 5,000 more than second-place DeAndre Hopkins.

The other Hurricanes receiver up for nomination, Wayne spent his entire pro career with one franchise. Indianapolis drafted him in the first round in 2001, and he would retire a Colt in 2014. His career included a Super Bowl victory with Peyton Manning and six Pro Bowl appearances. He finished with 14,345 yards receiving, a number that ranks second in Colts history behind Marvin Harrison.

Although Hester is a receiver as well, he did most of his damage as a kick and punt returner. He leads the NFL in career punt returns for a touchdown (14) and ranks eighth all-time in kick and punt return yardage (11,028). A four-time Pro Bowler, Hester spent eight seasons with the Chicago Bears before brief stints with the Falcons, Ravens and Seahawks.

All three Miami players have a strong case for making it in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, often times players aren’t inducted during their first year eligible. If that is the case for these Hurricanes in 2022, don’t expect it to be long before they make their way in.

Other players among the finalists include defensive back Ronde Barber, receiver Torry Holt and linebacker DeMarcus Ware.