Transitioning from the high-stakes world of Division I football to the competitive landscape of tech startups isn’t for the faint of heart. Yet, for former South Carolina All-American and two-time captain Debo Williams, the leap felt like a natural progression. Swapping his helmet for a CEO title, Williams is tackling a new challenge: the fragmented world of car culture.
His solution is Sync My Ride, an all-in-one ecosystem designed to streamline how enthusiasts connect, navigate, and showcase their passion. In an exclusive sit-down, Williams checked in with ScoopB.com to discuss how he’s taking the “daily grind” of the football field and applying it to the digital highway.
The Q&A: In Conversation with Debo Williams
Before diving into the mechanics of his latest venture, it is important to understand the engine that drives the man himself. Debo Williams built a reputation at the University of South Carolina as a relentless defender, earning First-Team All-SEC honors and becoming the first Gamecock in over two decades to record over 100 tackles in a single season.
That same intensity that saw him block two punts in his collegiate debut and lead his team as a two-time permanent captain is now being funneled into the tech space. For Williams, the transition from reading an offense to identifying market gaps was seamless; both require a championship mindset and an obsession with the “inputs.”
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You were a 2x Captain and an All-American at South Carolina. What lessons from the football field have been the most vital in navigating the “contact sport” of tech startups and app development?
Debo Williams: Lessons from football taught me so much. In order to be a great leader, you have to be a great follower. Stay down til you come up. If it was easy, everyone would do it. I can give you quotes all day, but it really taught me how to win the day and focus on the inputs. The outputs would be a clear reflection of the daily grind you put in.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: The car community is traditionally very fragmented across social media and local forums. What was the “lightbulb moment” that led you to create Sync My Ride as a fully integrated ecosystem?
Debo Williams: The “lightbulb moment” was because I grew up around cars, car shows, and car meets. I saw a gap that could be bridged. People were having to communicate through social media like Facebook and Instagram while also having to use Google Maps to get to the place. I decided to make an app that had both communication and navigation for the car community.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: For the car enthusiast who hasn’t downloaded the app yet, what is the #1 feature that makes Sync My Ride the “most popping” platform compared to anything else out there?
Debo Williams: The #1 feature is that this is the first-ever car meet/car show app with a navigation system. It will take you to the place you need to go right in the app! Along with connecting you with the group you’re with, it’ll show you who is following you in the app as well.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: We see professional athletes spending huge amounts on custom rides. How does Sync My Ride bridge the gap between high-end creators, brands, and the everyday car lover?
Debo Williams: It bridges the gap because your meets and groups can either be private or public on the app. This allows everyone to be on the app and use it for their own specific purpose.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As a founder, what does a “win” look like for Sync My Ride in the next 12 months?
Debo Williams: In the next 12 months, a win looks like Sync My Ride becoming a staple in the car, truck, and motorcycle community—and becoming the most used car meet/car show app in the world!
Wrapping Up
Debo Williams is proving that the discipline required to lead a defense translates seamlessly into leading a tech revolution. By identifying a tangible pain point for car enthusiasts—the constant juggling of apps just to coordinate a simple meet—he has positioned Sync My Ride as the essential “quarterback” for the automotive community.
As the platform grows from a “lightbulb moment” into a global staple, Williams’ focus on the “daily grind” suggests that this is only the beginning of his drive toward the winner’s circle in the tech world.
