Patrick Willis and Bryant Young are one step closer to immortality.
The former 49ers linebacker and defensive tackle were named as 15 modern-era finalists Thursday to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Both are three-time semifinalists.
The Hall of Fame’s 49-person selection committee will select the Class of 2022 in advance of Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles on Feb. 10. The list will be first cut from 15 to 10, and while there is no set number for any class of enshrinees, bylaws for the selection committee provide that between four and eight new members will be selected.
The 15 modern-era finalists will be joined by coach, contributor and senior finalists who must receive a yes vote on 80 percent of the ballots to be enshrined. Dick Vermeil, former Raiders wide receiver Cliff Branch and official Art McNally were named as the three nominees in those categories on Aug. 24.
Willis retired suddenly at age 30, citing aching feet and a desire to maintain his health in his post-football life. Before playing in just six games in his final season of 2014 due to injury, Willis made seven Pro Bowls and was a five-time All-Pro selection.
Young, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was named first-team All-Pro once and second-team twice. He was named as a member of the NFL’s All-Decade team of the 1990s and was a starting defensive tackle on the 49ers’ last Super Bowl champion following his rookie season in 1994.
John Lynch, the 49ers general manager who waited eight years before being getting his gold jacket in 2021, said on KNBR-680 AM he thought both were worthy.
“Simplest way I can put it, and it’s not an exact science and I lived in that mix for years, but those guys belong,” Lynch said. “You’ve got to know when you’ve got a Hall of Fame player. I don’t know if this will be their year but that’s a big step (to become a finalist). I’m really thrilled for B.Y. and Patrick. They both belong, I believe they’ll both get there.”
DeMeco Ryans, a contemporary of Willis as while playing linebacker for Houston and Philadelphia from 2006 through 2015, said he was struggling with open field tackles with the Texans when linebackers coach Johnny Holland gave him a DVD of Willis in action as an instructional aid.
“Patrick is one of the best linebackers to play the game,” Ryans said. “You talk about speed, you talk about physicality, you talk about smarts. He’s everything you want in an inside linebacker. He set the tone for the defense here, he was that guy. He was the leader of this defense and it was always fun to watch him.”
Joining Willis and Young were three players eligible for the first time — wide receiver Andre Johnson (Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee), edge rusher DeMarcus Ware (Dallas and Denver) and return specialist Devin Hester (Chicago, Atlanta and Baltimore).
The rest of the final 15 include:
— Edge rusher Jared Allen (Kansas City, Minnesota, Chicago Carolina)
— Tackle Willie Anderson (Cincinnati, Baltimore)
— Defensive back Ronde Barber (Tampa Bay)
— Tackle Tony Boselli (Jacksonville, Houston)
— Safety LeRoy Butler (Green Bay)
— Wide receiver Torry Holt (St. Louis Rams, Jacksonville)
— Linebacker Sam Mills (New Orleans, Carolina)
— Defensive lineman Richard Seymour (New England, Raiders)
— Linebacker Zach Thomas (Miami, Dallas)
— Wide receiver Reggie Wayne (Indianapolis)
