49ers Bryant Young, John Lynch named Hall of Fame finalists while Patrick Willis waits

Two 49ers figures Thursday were named finalists for the 2020 class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. One prominent linebacker, however, was not.

Longtime defensive tackle Bryant Young and current general manager John Lynch were named among 15 modern-era finalists. Of that group, five will be voted on to enter the Hall of Fame as members of the 2020 class. Additionally, 15 others will be picked by a blue-ribbon panel as part of the NFL’s centennial enshrinement class.

One player who was not named a finalist in his first year of eligibility was linebacker Patrick Willis.

Willis surprisingly retired from football in 2014 citing chronic foot injuries after just eight seasons. He went to the Pro Bowl in all seven of his healthy campaigns and was a five-time first-team All-Pro.

Sam Mills and Zach Thomas are the only linebackers among the 15 finalists. Safety Troy Polamalu and receiver Reggie Wayne are the only finalists in their first year of eligibility.

Young, meanwhile, was named a finalist for the first time after being eligible for the past eight years. He spent all 14 years of his career with the 49ers and recorded 89.5 sacks. He was a first-team All-Pro twice and was named to four Pro Bowls. Young was named to the league’s all-decade team of the 1990s in addition to being the comeback player of the year in 1999 following a broken leg.

This year marks the seventh time Lynch has been named a finalist. The nine-time Pro Bowler won a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002 after being named a first-team All-Pro three straight seasons. Lynch had more than 90 tackles in nine of his 15 years in the league.