Jason Witten of Dallas Cowboys finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame

Jason Witten, one of the greatest tight ends in Tennessee football history, is one of 15 finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame class of 2026.

Witten was nominated in his first year of eligibility, and the 11-time Pro Bowler is considered a strong candidate to be selected in his first try. The other finalists for the 2026 class are Willie Anderson, Drew Brees, Jahri Evans, Larry Fitzgerald, Frank Gore, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly, Eli Manning, Terrell Suggs, Adam Vinatieri, Reggie Wayne, Kevin Williams, Darren Woodson and Marshal Yanda.

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The class of 2026 will be announced Feb. 5 at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. The program will be aired on NBC and NFL Network and streamed on Peacock and NFL+.

Witten played 16 of his 17 seasons in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. He was selected 69th overall in the third round of the 2003 NFL Draft by Dallas and went on to have an incredible career. He became the Cowboys' all-time leader in receptions (1,215), receiving yards (12,977), games played (255), consecutive games started (179) and most receptions in a single game (18). In 2021, he retired as the NFL career record-holder for most games played by a tight end (271).

Witten recorded 260 receptions for 1,273 yards (a 10.8-yard average) and 75 touchdowns during his career, playing his final season for the Las Vegas Raiders. He was also a first-team NFL All-Pro selection in 2007 and 2010 and second-team All-Pro in 2008 and 2012.

During Witten's third and final season with the Vols in 2002, he started all 13 games and set the program's single-season receiving yardage record for tight ends while leading the team in receptions (39), yards (493) and touchdowns (5). He was a first-team All-SEC selection as a junior that season.

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Witten was originally recruited to Tennessee as a defensive end, but was quickly integrated into the tight end group due to a lack of personnel. The Elizabethton, Tennessee, native had a breakout sophomore season as a tight end, which he capped with a 125-yard receiving performance in Tennessee's win over Michigan in the Florida Citrus Bowl.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jason Witten of Dallas Cowboys finalist for Pro Football Hall of Fame