Alex Huntley, Debo Williams talk decisions to return to South Carolina
The transfer portal and NIL have made it increasingly difficult for entire teams — and positional groups, for that matter — to stay together. This will not be the case for South Carolina’s defense this upcoming season, though, as the Gamecocks are seeing much of its production from last season return.
Many of these players could have gone elsewhere, whether it be another college program promising greater opportunities for playing time or an opportunity to play professionally. But they ultimately decided to return to South Carolina for at least one more year.
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Among those players are Alex Huntley and Debo Williams, who are expected to be key leaders on the Gamecocks’ defense. Both players shared their reasons for coming back to Columbia at the SEC Media Days in Dallas, Texas on Monday.
For Huntley, the decision to play another season at South Carolina was not a difficult one. The Blythewood native said he wanted another opportunity to play for a city that has embraced him for most of his football career.
“Being from Columbia, I think the people, the place, I love it,” Huntley said. “I originally am from Maryland. When I moved to Columbia, they adopted me with open arms. It’s kind of hard to leave a place that has everything you need and great people behind it.”
Huntley added that his Gamecock teammates factored into his decision, too.
“That’s just all saying it about my teammates, those are my brothers. I will have a bond with them forever,” Huntley said. “I didn’t want to leave them.”
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In Williams’ case, opting to playing professionally could have been a realistic choice. The redshirt senior linebacker had just finished a 2023 campaign that saw him lead South Carolina in tackles (113) and finish second in tackles for loss (nine), which helped him earn All-SEC First Team honors.
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But Williams said he believes returning to South Carolina will prove beneficial for both his collegiate and professional careers.
“Still as far as having two years of eligibility and knowing that I can up my draft stock,” Williams said. “Coming back, I know it’s a legacy here. And I want to cement my legacy in South Carolina forever.”
Williams acknowledges that college football has changed dramatically since he became a college football player. In his eyes, that has made loyalty to South Carolina and Shane Beamer that much more important.
“As far as me just seeing everything, it’s crazy. NIL, guys literally coming to school, leaving the next year. Things have definitely changed,” Williams said. “I think my loyalty towards Coach Beamer really stays with me coming before all of this stuff happened. If you were the team, you’re going to work your tail off and you’re going to work your way up, not going to leave because somebody’s in your position right now.
