Former Patriots safety Rodney Harrison and defensive tackle Vince Wilfork were named modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 on Tuesday.

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This is the third time Harrison and Wilfork have been named semifinalists. Harrison was nominated in 2021 and each of the past two years, while Wilfork reached his third straight semifinal round. Neither player has ever been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Last year, Wilfork became the 32nd member of the Patriots Hall of Fame. He spent 11 of his 13 seasons in New England, where he won two Super Bowls and developed into a five-time Pro Bowler. Patriots coach Bill Belichick calls Wilfork the greatest nose tackle he ever coached.

The Patriots selected Wilfork in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft.

Harrison last played in 2008, his sixth and final season with the Patriots. Over his 15-year career, Harrison earned two All-Pro nods, made two Pro Bowls and won a couple Super Bowls, both with the Patriots. He is the only defensive back in NFL history to record 30 career sacks and 30 interceptions.

Harrison, a fellow Patriots Hall of Famer, previously told the Herald in a 2019 interview he believes ex-Patriots are discriminated against in the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection process.

“It’s just unfortunate. It’s almost a form of discrimination. People don’t want to elevate us, or recognize, or acknowledge how great we are, because they’re such haters,” he said. “Everywhere I go, people hate on the Patriots. So we don’t get credit. All I hear is Tom (Brady) and Bill (Belichick). But that’s such a lazy analysis.

As for making the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Harrison added: “The bottom line for me is this. I never sought out to be a Hall of Famer. That was never my goal. I’m not upset because I’m not in the (Pro Football) Hall of Fame. That doesn’t upset me. … A lot of guys need that to identify and let people know who they are, and their worth. It is what it is. I believe my numbers speak for themselves.”

The other ex-Patriots among this year’s semifinalists are running back Fred Taylor, linebacker James Harrison and wide receivers Reggie Wayne and Torry Holt, who each spent one training camp in New England.

The list of 25 semifinalists will be trimmed to 15 finalists early next year. In order to be eligible, players must have been out of football for the last five seasons. Notable first-time nominees include defensive end Juius Peppers and tight end Antonio Gates.