South Carolina Gameoccks All-American wide receiver Alshon Jeffery is one of five players on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s upcoming college football preview (week of Aug. 22).

Jeffrey is positioned between Andrew Luck and Trent Richardson with the headline “South Carolina: Best Gamecocks Team Ever.”

This is a honor well-deserved for Jeffery – a 6-foot-4, 233-pound junior from St. Matthews, S.C. – due to the fact he is the best wide out in college football. Last season, he hauled in 88 passes for 1,517 yards last year. He currently ranks fourth on USC’s all-time receiving yardage list after just 21 career starts. He could shatter many school records this year.

Speaking of the school, this is only the second time that a Gamecock athlete has appeared on the cover. Former basketball standout John Roche made the cover of the Jan. 4, 1971.

Sports Illustrated has ranked the Gamecocks No. 7 in its 2011 preseason poll – five spots ahead of their ranking in the preseason USA Today/ Coaches’ poll.