Harrison was announced as one of 15 finalists on Wednesday.

For the first time since becoming eligible to receive pro football’s highest individual honor, Rodney Harrison has advanced to the final round of Pro Football Hall of Fame voting. As was announced on Wednesday night, he is among 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2024.

A fifth-round draft choice by the San Diego Chargers in 1994, Harrison developed a reputation as a hard-hitting defender early on his career. While that landed him on several “dirtiest player” lists, it also put him on the New England Patriots’ radar.

Harrison joined the team as a free agent in 2003, and developed into a cornerstone of the Patriots dynasty. Over his six seasons with in New England, he saw action in a combined 72 regular season and playoff games, and helped the club win a pair of Super Bowls after the 2003 and 2004 seasons. Harrison announced his retirement from pro football after the 2008 campaign.

Since then, the organization has honored his achievements on several occasions. He was voted to its 50th anniversary squad and Team of the 2000s, and was later also enshrined into the Patriots Hall of Fame.

Now, he is on the doorstep of another Hall of Fame.

Harrison is not the only finalist with ties to the Patriots. Long-time Jacksonville Jaguars running back Fred Taylor spent the final two of his 13 NFL seasons in New England. He appeared in 14 regular season and playoff games for the team and registered 425 total rushing yards.

Additionally, wide receivers Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne spent time with the organization at the tail-end of their respective careers. Neither of the two actually appeared in game for the Patriots, though, and left before the start of the regular season.

Including those four ex-Patriots, the full group of finalists reads as follows:

CB Eric Allen, DE Jared Allen, OT Willie Anderson, G Jahri Evans, DE Dwight Freeney, TE Antonio Gates, S Rodney Harrison, PR/KR/WR Devin Hester, WR Torry Holt, WR Andre Johnson, DE Julius Peppers, RB Fred Taylor, WR Reggie Wayne, LB Patrick Willis, S Darren Woodson

Those 15 making it into the final round also means that the journey of two former Patriots ended in the semifinals. Neither defensive tackle Vince Wilfork nor linebacker James Harrison garnered enough votes to reach finalist status.

In a next step, up to five of those modern-era finalists will be chosen as enshrinees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In order to make it thus far, a player must receive at least 80 percent of the votes.

Furthermore, four senior finalists (Randy Gradishar, Steve McMichael, Art Powell, Buddy Parker) are also candidates to make it into the Hall of Fame this year. Voting for them will be done individually.

The Class of 2024 will be announced on the eve of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.