For South Carolina linebacker Debo Williams, a lot went into the decision to return to the Garnet and Black. At SEC Media Days, Williams talked with SEC Network’s Alyssa Lang about the thought process of returning and his impending senior season that the All-SEC linebacker is calling a “legacy year”
Senior Season is a “Legacy Year, ” Debo Williams Says at SEC Media Days
Williams made the decision to return early in the draft process last December after receiving a Day 3 grade from scouts. Given that he had more eligibility, he called the decision a no-brainer, saying his goal is to cement his legacy at South Carolina.
“My whole thing was, I’m gonna come back for a legacy year,” Williams said. “I’m just gonna try to cement my name in South Carolina forever.”
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Williams, who led the team with 113 tackles last season, was named to AP’s All-SEC second team at the conclusion of the year. The Gamecocks defensive playmaker mentioned that his points of emphasis this offseason have been “straight man coverage and being able to move with anybody” and forcing more turnovers.
Williams said that he accomplished both of his goals last season, racking up over 100 tackles and making an All-SEC team. However, the team didn’t accomplish its goals of winning an SEC Championship and, ultimately, a National Championship.
A Man On A Mission
Williams came out of seemingly nowhere a year ago to lead the Gamecock defense in tackles after playing mostly as a reserve in 2022. Now a senior, Williams is on a mission after the Gamecock defense had a disappointing 2023 campaign.
Williams rebuffed any mention of momentum heading into the offseason after the defense finished well down the stretch.
“We went 5-7, there’s no momentum from that,” Williams said.
However, Williams thinks his unit will be great in 2024. He says that starts with the older guys.
“We’re setting the standard,” Williams said. “I told the defense a couple of weeks ago, ‘We’re going for doughnuts; I don’t even want teams scoring.’ We’ve been doing this for a long time, we’ve been playing together for a long time.”
“Then the younger guys coming in, they’ll see, ‘this is the standard, this is what we’ve gotta do’ and that will gravitate to the younger guys that come when I’m gone.”
Williams said he’s locked in and isn’t even planning to play the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game. He says some of his teammates will, but he’s just focused on being better in 2024.
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