For the second year in a row, offensive tackle Willie Anderson and outside linebacker/defensive end DeMarcus Ware are among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday night the 15 players who will be considered for the five modern-era positions in the Class of 2023, and the list again included Anderson from Vigor High School and Auburn and Ware from Auburn High School and Troy.

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The 15 finalists came from 28 modern-era semifinalists for the Class of 2023. For the second straight year, defensive end/outside linebacker Robert Mathis, a former Alabama A&M standout, reached semifinalist status without advancing to the finalist stage.

A player is considered modern era if he has been retired for at least five seasons and was active within the past 25 seasons.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 process for modern-era players began with 129 nominees. In addition to the Anderson, Mathis and Ware, five other players from Alabama high schools and colleges were among the modern-era nominees. Among the 101 nominees who did not advance to semifinalist status were running back Shaun Alexander (Alabama), linebacker Cornelius Bennett (Ensley, Alabama), linebacker Takeo Spikes (Auburn), defensive end Justin Tuck (Central-Coosa) and wide receiver Roddy White (UAB).

The 10th pick in the 1996 draft, Anderson was a fixture at right offensive tackle for Cincinnati, starting every Bengals game except for two from 1997 through 2006. From 2003 through 2006, he was on the AFC Pro Bowl team annually, and he made first-team All-Pro in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Anderson blocked in two record-setting games for running back Corey Dillon — an NFL rookie record 246 rushing yards against the Tennessee Oilers in 1997 and an NFL record 278 rushing yards versus the Denver Broncos in 2000.

Ware ranks ninth on the NFL’s career sacks list with 138.5 during his 12 seasons, and he led the league in sacks in 2008 with 20 and 2010 with 15.5

In nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, Ware earned first-team All-Pro recognition four times and was picked for the Pro Bowl seven times. Ware spent his final three seasons with the Denver Broncos, earning two more Pro Bowl invitations and helping the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 to cap the 2015 season.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023 will be chosen from the 15 finalists by the 49-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. Also under consideration at that time will be linebacker Chuck Howley, defensive lineman Joe Klecko and cornerback Ken Riley, who are the senior nominees (predating the 25-year window for modern-era nominees); and Don Coryell, the nominee of the Coach/Contributor Committee.

The other finalists for the Class of 2023 include Jared Allen, Ronde Barber, Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Andre Johnson, Albert Lewis, Darrelle Revis, Joe Thomas, Zach Thomas, Reggie Wayne, Patrick Willis and Darren Woodson.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be announced on Feb. 9 during the “NFL Honors presented by Invisalign,” which will be televised by NFL Network, NBC and Peacock.

The other semifinalists for the Class of 2023 who did not advance to finalist status included Eric Allen, Anquan Boldin, Henry Ellard, Jahri Evans, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Rodney Harrison, Steve Smith, Fred Taylor, Hines Ward, Ricky Watters, Reggie Wayne and Vince Wilfork.

Fifteen men who played at Alabama high schools and colleges are members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The state’s Hall of Famers are Robert Brazile (Vigor), Buck Buchanan (Parker), Frank Gatski (Auburn), Kevin Greene (Auburn), John Hannah (Albertville, Alabama), Don Hutson (Alabama), Walter Jones (Aliceville), Joe Namath (Alabama), Ozzie Newsome (Colbert County, Alabama), Terrell Owens (Benjamin Russell), Ken Stabler (Foley, Alabama), John Stallworth (Tuscaloosa, Alabama A&M), Bart Starr (Sidney Lanier, Alabama), Dwight Stephenson (Alabama) and Derrick Thomas (Alabama).

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.