Carolina Panthers great Luke Kuechly will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
The former linebacker was not voted as one of the four inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025. Kuechly was in his first year of eligibility for the honor.
Carolina selected Kuechly with the ninth overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. The decorated Boston College standout made his presence in the pros known immediately, as he captured the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
In 2013, Kuechly would be named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. He became just the second player ever, with ex-New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor being the first, to win both awards in their first two seasons.
Despite a shortened career due to concussions, Kuechly made the most out of his eight NFL seasons—as he also earned five first-team All-Pro selections, two second-team All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowl nods.