Debo Williams ahead of final season at South Carolina: 'It's going by too fast'

The South Carolina Gamecocks are returning Debo Williams for the 2024 season, which is both set to be his final and potentially best season as a Gamecock.

The veteran linebacker recently appeared on Garnet Trust. There, he explained that he feels like his time at South Carolina is going by too quickly and that his goal this season is to be the best possible leader he can be.

“It’s going by too fast,” Debo Williams said. “I’m just really trying to take everything in and appreciate everything and just being the best leader I can be. Because, finally, I was able to come into myself and be the leader I know I can be last season but now I’m trying to perfect that and be even better, keep growing, and keep bonding with my team so we can come together and win.”

Debo Williams came to South Carolina in 2021 as a redshirt freshman. He had previously spent the Fall of 2020 with the Delaware Blue Hens. However, he did not play as the FCS season was postponed to the spring and by that point, he was a Gamecock.

From the time that he got to South Carolina, Williams worked hard for his playing time, starting out as a special teams player who made his way into the defensive rotation at linebacker and ultimately becoming a key player. In 2023, he was a team captain on defense. He was also the 2023 Joe Morrison MVP on the defensive side of the ball and a First-Team All-SEC selection.

In his three seasons at South Carolina, Williams has played in 38 games. He has 162 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and four passes defended. The majority of that production came in 2023 when he had 113 of his tackles.

Debo Williams reflects on legacy at South Carolina

Looking ahead to his final season at South Carolina, Debo Williams reflected on what he thinks his legacy might be like at South Carolina and what that means to him.

“I look on the walls at our facility, and I’m up there now with All-Americans,” Williams said.

“So, it’s like Stephon Gilmore, Jadeveon Clowney, all those guys — I could bring my kids back here one day, and they’ll see me on the captains’ wall. It’s an honor to be up there with those guys. I looked up to those guys — and I still do. I’ve been saying that I want to be next to those guys, so just to see it come to fruition, it’s just an honor.”