Debo Williams on South Carolina's defense: 'We're going for donuts'
Prior to making the rounds at SEC Media Days in Dallas, South Carolina linebacker Debo Williams caught up with SEC Network, and Gamecock alum, Alyssa Lang to share some thoughts on this year’s defense.
During that interview, Williams made it clear that the defense has high expectations, which start with the upperclassmen.
“Just setting the standard. I told the defense just a couple of weeks ago we’re going for donuts. I don’t want teams scoring, man,” Williams told Lang. “We’ve been doing this for a long time. We’ve been playing together for a long time.”
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But it’s not just about this season. Returning eight starters on defense and with the addition of several experienced defenders via the transfer portal, Williams is also focused on making sure that the defense will only get better in the coming years.
“With the younger guys coming in, once they see the standard they’ll know that this is what we have to do. Then, that will gravitate towards the young guys once I’m gone. I’m just trying to be the best leader that I can be so that this defense can be the best defense that South Carolina has ever seen.”
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A transfer from Delaware, Williams has been with the Gamecocks since 2021. Named one of the six permanent team captains after the 2023 season, the All-SEC linebacker believes there’s already a different level of camaraderie compared to where things have been at this time of the year in years past.
“This is definitely the best bonding year that we’ve had since I’ve been here during my four years. I think it’s because we know what it needs to look like. Us as leaders now, being here for the past three (to) four years, we know what it takes and we know what it looks like. We’ve been bonding well and I thank coach (Shane) Beamer for that for allowing us to do things together and making things happen.”