Who are South Carolina’s five best wide receivers in program history? The players are indisputable, but the order is up for discussion:

5. Robert Brooks (1988-91): One could argue for Zola Davis or Jermale Kelly here, but we’re going with a guy who was a major factor in the return game as well, averaging 23.1 yards per kickoff return during his tenure as a four-year starter. Brooks’ 19 receiving touchdowns is tied for third all-time at South Carolina and 156 career receptions ranks fifth. After tearing his ACL as a fifth-year pro for the Green Bay Packers in 1996, Brooks returned and won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award the following season. He finished his pro career in 2000 after accumulating 309 receptions for 4,276 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Career stats: 156 catches, 2,211 yards, 19 TD

4. Sterling Sharpe (1983-87): Another star wideout turned special teams threat, Sharpe was a stellar playmaker in Columbia, crossing the goal line 24 times during his career (17 touchdown receptions, 5 rushing touchdowns, punt return, kickoff return). Neither Brooks nor Sharpe was able to play in the SEC since the Gamecocks were an Independent at the time, but each left an impact on the program. After notching one of the best individual seasons in school history (74 catches, 1,106 yards, 10 touchdowns) as a junior in 1986, Sharpe helped coach Joe Morrison turn the Gamecocks around in his final campaign. Sharpe was a go-to player on a South Carolina team that finished 8-4 and was ranked 15th in the final AP Poll.

Career stats: 169 catches, 2,497 yards, 17 TD

3. Kenny McKinley (2005-08): One of the most reliable offensive players ever to star at Williams-Brice Stadium, South Carolina’s all-time leader in receptions (207) rarely dropped a pass and despite his size, never feared running over the middle. An under-recruited three-star who blossomed into a fan-favorite by his senior season, McKinley tragically took his own life in 2010 at 23 years old as a second-year pro with the Denver Broncos.

Career stats: 207 catches, 2,781 yards, 19 TD

2. Sidney Rice (2004-06): Smooth. That’s the one word that succinctly describes Rice, a touchdown machine in just two seasons for the Gamecocks after redshirting as a true freshman during Lou Holtz’s final season in 2004. Rice quickly became Steve Spurrier’s favorite player on offense, a human vacuum when the football was thrown in his direction. Despite lackluster quarterback play from Blake Mitchell and Syvelle Newton during his time, Rice finished with 23 touchdowns (tied for all-time program best) and 2,233 yards on 142 catches. He’s the only South Carolina wideout to record consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Career stats: 142 catches, 2,233 yards, 23 TD

1. Alshon Jeffery (2009-11): Throw to No. 1 and he’ll finish. We’re using a basketball analogy here, but it tells a story. Jeffery was a man among boys as a sophomore All-American in 2010, finishing with one of the SEC’s best seasons ever for the Gamecocks’ only Eastern Division championship squad in program history. Jeffery caught a single-season program record 88 passes for a record-breaking 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns. He is South Carolina’s all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,042, one of only five players in SEC history to surpass the 3K-barrier. A second-round pick of the Chicago Bears in 2012, Jeffery has quickly developed into one of the NFL’s premiere young wide receivers with tremendous leaping ability and sticky hands.

Career stats: 183 catches, 3,042 yards, 23 TD