"We're going for donuts" and other takeaways from South Carolina football's Monday at SEC Media Days

SEC Media Days kicked off on Monday, and South Carolina football fans didn't have to wait very long for their favorite team to be represented. Head coach Shane Beamer and his three Gamecock player representatives (defensive tackle Boogie Huntley, linebacker Debo Williams, and wide receiver/quarterback Luke Doty) were on the docket for the first day of the event and all had their chances in front of the microphones.

Here are some of the major takeaways from the Gamecocks' at SEC Media Days:

• During his press conference, Shane Beamer stated that there is "no ceiling" on the South Carolina football program's potential, arguing that the standard moving forward will be College Football Playoff contention.
• During the media gaggle after his press conference, Beamer addressed his program's strength and conditioning and nutrition, saying that they have revamped a lot of their practices and policies; he very clearly said that the Gamecocks must be "better" at staying healthy.
• From a football standpoint, Beamer said the biggest improvements for USC start on the offensive line as they must run the ball better and protect the quarterback better.
• The 2023 and 2024 recruiting classes are the best two-year cycle for the program in over a decade.
• Coach Beamer acknowledged that he and his team have heard the doubters this offseason but that they do not agree at all with any of the lower expectations.
• Carolina's offense will look different this fall, primarily because the quarterback position is different, and the offensive line will be (hopefully) a healthier unit.
• Transfer portal running back Rocket Sanders has trimmed weight and body fat. He is 100% healthy and ready for the season.
• Beamer said that special teams will be similar but not exactly the same under new special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis.
• Legendary coach Nick Saban, who recently retired from leading the Alabama Crimson Tide program, said he believes Carolina is "not far off" from being back in SEC contention. Beamer echoed those thoughts during his time speaking.
• Debo Williams had a couple of quotable moments during his time speaking to the media; most notably, he told SEC Network's Alyssa Lang that he came back to Columbia for a "legacy year" and claimed the Gamecock defense is shooting to be the "best defense South Carolina has ever seen" and that they are "going for donuts" as they pursue the goal of keeping every offense they play against to 0 points.
• Athlete Luke Doty has embraced his time in Columbia despite not being the team's starting quarterback (as a former 4-star recruit); speaking to 107.5 The Game and other outlets, he said he has "never" thought of transferring and hopes to leave the program "better than [he] found it."
• Boogie Huntley, a defensive lineman, spoke to 107.5 The Game's Elijah Campbell about the offensive line's improvement so far at practice, saying that he thinks the unit can be a "strong suit" of the offense this fall; he also said that 5-star freshman defensive end Dylan Stewart will be "really good."