Adam Vinatieri among 2025 first-year eligible Hall of Fame candidates

The Indianapolis Colts will have a former player enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a part of the Class of 2024, and several prominent names will headline the Class of 2025.

While former defensive end Dwight Freeney will receive his gold jacket in August during the ceremony in Canton, there are a few notable names on the ballot for the Class of 2025, including a first-year eligible player who has a strong shot to get in at some point.

Wide receiver Reggie Wayne (five-time finalist) and defensive end Robert Mathis (three-time semifinalist) will be looking to further their campaign to get into Canton.

Meanwhile, kicker Adam Vinatieri is among the headlining names on the ballot for the first time in 2025.

Whether Vinatieri is a first-ballot Hall of Famer is up for debate, and it will be a massive topic of discussion when the time comes. His credentials, though, will eventually earn him a gold jacket.

A 24-year veteran, Vinatieri was one of the greatest kickers in NFL history. His 599 field goals made and 715 field goals attempted are the most in NFL history. He also ranks second in extra points made (874) and extra points attempted (898), trailing only Hall of Famer George Blanda.

Vinatieri also holds the NFL record for most points scored in a career during the regular season (2,673) and the playoffs (238). He also holds the record for most career field goals made (56) and field goals attempted (59) in the playoffs.

A split career between the New England Patriots (1996-2005) and the Colts (2006-2019), Vinatieri was a three-time All-Pro First-Team and Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2014).

It will be interesting to see how close Vinatieri gets in his first year on the ballot, but he certainly will get in eventually.

Story originally appeared on Colts Wire