In his return to SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala., South Carolina coach Will Muschamp was joined by senior DL Marquavius Lewis, sophomore WR Deebo Samuel and senior OL Mason Zandi.

Check out what the three Gamecocks had to say to the media:

Senior DL Marquavius Lewis

On USC defensive line:
“I would think we are better for it [struggle on defensive last season] because we have new
coaches. With the new coaches they change the way we think and scheme things to become
a better defense.”

On Muschamp’s intensity:
“We had some strict ordeals, he’s straight forward. He wants it done his way and for the
most part he’s going to get it that way.”

On USC sense of urgency this upcoming season:
“I wouldn’t say it’s a sense of urgency. We all have the mindset to go out there and change
this program around and get them [the team] on the right path.”

On his leadership role this upcoming season:
“Definitely. We talk about it but I’m not a big talker. Coach knows he doesn’t want to change
that about me. He lets me lead by example.”

On USC first three SEC games are on the road:
“I’ve seen it, it’s a great schedule. SEC is the best football so we are going to take it on with a
full head of steam.”

On the changes he has seen with Muschamp:
“It’s been more technical than anything. Knowing your keys, knowing your assignments,
doing the little things. The linebacker is supposed to be in this area at the same time as the
defensive line, knowing where he’s going on the same play.”

On the transition from high school, to junior college, to the SEC:
“It was a leap for sure but I always knew I had it in me to play in the SEC. If you can play in
the SEC, you can play anywhere.”

On the difference of intensity between former coach Steve Spurrier and Muschamp:
“Coach Spurrier is quite a guy. I don’t know if there is a distinct difference because they
both have a passion to win and they let you know that. Whether that’s at practice or special
teams, they always let you know that.”

On Coach Muschamp being the right guy for USC:
“I almost look at it as it was destined. When I was in junior college I was in Florida and he
was in Florida. I didn’t go to Florida but he’s here now at South Carolina so I see it as a
destined thing.”

Sophomore WR Deebo Samuel

On Muschamp’s belief that Deebo is the key to the offense:
“Out of the receiver group I am the oldest one with the most experience so I would expect
Coach Muschamp to say that. We have brought in five new freshman receivers, and they are
going to be able to help as well. My job is to push them to make them better and myself
better.”

On last year’s season:
“Three and nine is the past. We have a new coach, new strength coaches that Coach brought
in and he is probably one of the best strength coaches in the nation. He does a great job of
pushing us and trying to make us forget last season and move on.”

On sitting his first year as a redshirt and playing with a hamstring issue last year:
“Coming in I was thinking I was going to play and then coach redshirted me. So as time
went on as a redshirt I was trying to become better. I was becoming bigger, faster and
stronger, and I worked on everything possible to get better for the next season. The next
season came around and I pulled my hamstring. It was not expected.”

On Muschamp’s intensity:
“I see it at practice. Even if you mess up he will get on you. If you do something good he will
still push you to get better. We have a receiver group message and we post pictures in it
and they were posting picture of Muschamp going off on somebody and I thought he was
crazy.”

On being one of the players brought to SEC Media Days:
“It means a lot. I showed what I was capable of in the last game against Clemson. So coming
in, the new staff was telling me what to do to get better and then make others better to at
that position.”

On the Clemson game last season:
“Coming into that game I was anxious to play the number one team in the country and
Clemson is also an in-state rivalry. I was trying to make a name for myself in that game so
after that game I thought that happened. As time went on I was just considering what could
make me better.”

Senior OT Mason Zandi
On going against Marquavius Lewis in practice:
“Marquavius (Lewis) is a great athlete, and ultimately athletes are a dime a dozen, but he’s
also a great competitor. Going against that quality of SEC talent everyday in practice is
really helping me sharpen my tools and perfect my craft.”

On learning from last season:
“In terms of learning things from last season, it’s just tough to just say that you only learn
from your losses and not your successes. But at the same time it instills a fire in all of us
and a disgust for losing. We let our fans, friends and family, and ourselves down. Learning
from that experience is really going to help us coming into this season.”

On the journey from high school to being at SEC Media Days:
“For me this is a dream come true. I dreamed of sitting here one day. I dreamed of playing
for South Carolina, growing up and every day I’m literally living out my dream.”

On the coaching change, and keeping Shawn Elliot:
“I really appreciate Coach Will (Muschamp) and everything that he has done for our
organization. He came in in a first class manner and has done so much for us as a team, and
for me as an individual. I enjoy going to his office and picking his brain. He’s seen a lot of
the country, and he was at Auburn and Florida also. Being able to have him and his
experience has made this transition easier. Also having Coach Shawn (Elliot), because he
was on our staff last season, has made things easier.”

On the leader of the defense:
“We have a few leaders on defense, but Marquavius (Lewis) is one of them. He’s a senior
and not a very vocal leader, but he leads silently and that is something that I admire. He
leads by his work ethic, and purely example and that is something that I admire.”

On the job of the offensive line to protect the quarterback:
“Coach Kurt (Roper) prepares all of the guys as if they’re the starting quarterback. Out job
as the offensive line is purely to block for them. We have to give the quarterback time, and
open up holes for the running back. At the end of the days that’s it. I can’t go out and read
reads for the quarterback or anything else, but I can certainly block for them.”

On preparing in the off-season for your senior season:
“They always say ‘The last one, best one’, but for me personally I’ve prepared the same way.
My work ethic has been the same since I stepped on campus in 2012.”