2015 NFL Hall of Fame Ballot Announced: Full List, Reaction and More

The preliminary ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2015 was announced on Tuesday, featuring a total of 113 candidates that will be trimmed to 25 semifinalists by April.

An official statement on ProFootballHOF.com broke the news, and the list is as illustrious as one would expect. Check out the complete list of nominees, courtesy of the primary source:

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Quarterbacks: (4) – Randall Cunningham, Rich Gannon, Phil Simms, Kurt Warner

Wide Receivers: (9) – *Tim Brown (also KR), Isaac Bruce, Gary Clark, Henry Ellard (also PR), *Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, Sterling Sharpe, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith Tight End: (1) – Mark Bavaro

Running Backs: (14) – Shaun Alexander, Ottis Anderson, Tiki Barber, *Jerome Bettis, Roger Craig, Stephen Davis, Terrell Davis, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Edgerrin James, Daryl Johnston, Jamal Lewis, Herschel Walker (also KR), Ricky Watters

Offensive Linemen: (23) – Willie Anderson (T), Tony Boselli (T), Jeff Bostic (C), Lomas Brown (T), Jim Covert (T), Bill Fralic (G/T), Jay Hilgenberg (C), Chris Hinton (G/T), Kent Hull (C), Joe Jacoby (T),  Jon Jansen (T), Mike Kenn (T), Jim Lachey (T),  Kevin Mawae (C/G), Mark May (G/T/C),Tom Nalen (C), Nate Newton (G), Orlando Pace (T), Chris Samuels (T), Mark Schlereth (G), *Will Shields (G), Tra Thomas (T), Steve Wisniewski (G) 

Defensive Linemen: (12) – Al “Bubba” Baker (DE), Jerome Brown (DT), Carl Hairston  (DE/DT),  *Charles Haley (also LB), Jevon Kearse (DE), Dexter Manley (DE), Charles Mann (DE), Steve McMichael (DT/NT), Fred Smerlas (NT), Greg Townsend (DE), Ted Washington (DT/NT), Bryant Young (DE) 

Linebackers: (13) – Cornelius Bennett, Tedy Bruschi, *Kevin Greene (also DE), Ken Harvey,  Clay Matthews, Willie McGinest (also DE),  Karl Mecklenburg, Matt Millen, Sam Mills, Junior Seau, Chris Spielman, Darryl Talley, Zach Thomas 

Defensive Backs: (16) – Eric Allen (CB), Steve Atwater (S), Joey Browner (S), LeRoy Butler (S), Thomas Everett (S), Rodney Harrison (S), Ty Law (CB), Albert Lewis (CB), *John Lynch (S), Terry McDaniel (CB), Tim McDonald (S), Frank Minnifield (CB), Shawn Springs (CB), Troy Vincent (CB/S), Everson Walls (CB), Darren Woodson (S)

Kickers/Punters: (5) – *Morten Andersen (K), Gary Anderson (K), Jason Elam (K), Sean Landeta (P), Nick Lowery (K) 

Special Teams/Position Players: (2) – Brian Mitchell (RB/PR/KR), Steve Tasker (also WR) 

Coaches: (14) –Don Coryell, Bill Cowher, *Tony Dungy, Tom Flores, Mike Holmgren, Jimmy Johnson, Chuck Knox, Buddy Parker, Richie Petitbon, Dan Reeves, Lou Saban, Marty Schottenheimer, Clark Shaughnessy, Dick Vermeil

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Here is a closer look at some of the most notable names from recent history:

Player	Position
Kurt Warner	Quarterback
Junior Seau	Linebacker
Jerome Bettis	Running Back
Marvin Harrison	Wide Receiver
Will Shields	Offensive Guard

The late, great San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau played a lengthy career that culminated with the New England Patriots.

Unfortunately, Seau was found dead in May 2012 at just 43 years old, and it was later discovered that his brain had CTE. Seau's passing has brought further awareness to NFL issues of player safety and traumatic head injuries.

Longtime Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marvin Harrison formed a dynamic combination with active, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning. Harrison was a finalist for the 2014 class, as were Jerome Bettis and Will Shields.

Bettis was a bruising ball-carrier for the Pittsburgh Steelers who was light on his feet for a man of his massive size, while Shields was a perennial, All-Pro guard mostly for the Kansas City Chiefs. Other finalists on the ballot again are defensive end Charles Haley and linebacker Kevin Greene.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Kurt Warner came out of nowhere, filled in for injured starter Trent Green and quarterbacked the St. Louis Rams' high-octane offense dubbed "The Greatest Show on Turf." In his first year as starter, Warner led the Rams to a Super Bowl victory.

Many of Warner's allies from that amazing offense that remained successful for years are part of the list. Wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt, offensive tackle Orlando Pace and coach Dick Vermeil are also on the preliminary ballot.

Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network was pleased to see Warner and Holt on the list:

Warner is in his first year eligible for the Hall of Fame, along with 14 other candidates.

The list will get far smaller months from now, and there will be even fewer actual finalists. However, with the emphasis on the QB position and the fact that Warner led the Arizona Cardinals to a Super Bowl appearance late in his career, he ought to have a strong shot at being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

It's a strong list of first-year eligible NFL stars, a formidable bunch of deserving candidates and even five finalists from last year.

Voters will face many dilemmas when dwindling down this list, but whoever emerges from this quality pack undoubtedly deserves enshrinement in Canton, Ohio, the eve before Super Bowl XLIX.