For the third year in a row, Willie Anderson has been rebuffed one step from enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The former Vigor High School and Auburn standout was among the 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

The Class of 2024 was introduced on Thursday night during the NFL Honors award ceremony in Las Vegas, and the five modern-era players selected for enshrinement by the 49-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee were Dwight Freeney, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis.

Also chosen for the Class of 2024 were senior nominees Randy Gradishar and Steve McMichael.

The other modern-era finalists who were turned away one step from the Hall of Fame were Eric Allen, Jared Allen, Jahri Evans, Antonio Gates, Rodney Harrison, Torry Holt, Fred Taylor, Reggie Wayne and Darren Woodson. (A player is considered modern era if he has been retired for at least five seasons and was active within the past 25 seasons.)

Also consideration but not selected for the Class of 2024 were senior nominee Art Powell and Buddy Parker, the nominee of the Coach/Contributor Committee.

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.

A member of the Bengals Ring of Honor, Anderson played in 195 regular-season games and four playoff contests during his 13 NFL seasons.

The 15 modern-era finalists advanced from 25 semifinalists, who were selected from the 173 modern-era nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024.

Former Alabama A&M standout Robert Mathis was among the semifinalists for the Class of 2024 who did not achieve finalist status.

Seven other players from Alabama high schools and colleges were among the modern-era nominees for the Class of 2024. Among the players who did not advance to semifinalist status were running back Shaun Alexander (Alabama), linebacker Cornelius Bennett (Ensley, Alabama), linebacker Karlos Dansby (Woodlawn, Auburn), running back Stephen Davis (Auburn), fullback Tony Richardson (Daleville, Auburn), linebacker Takeo Spikes (Auburn) and defensive end Justin Tuck (Central-Coosa).

Sixteen 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 High School in Birmingham), Frank Gatski (Auburn), Kevin Greene (Auburn), John Hannah (Albertville High School, Alabama), Don Hutson (Alabama), Walter Jones (Aliceville High School), Joe Namath (Alabama), Ozzie Newsome (Colbert County High School, Alabama), Terrell Owens (Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City), Ken Stabler (Foley High School, Alabama), John Stallworth (Tuscaloosa, Alabama A&M), Bart Starr (Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama), Dwight Stephenson (Alabama), Derrick Thomas (Alabama) and DeMarcus Ware (Auburn High, Troy).

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