Devin Willock died in Georgia after National Championship celebration
A former Paramus Catholic High School football player who played for the National Champion University of Georgia Bulldogs was killed in a car wreck in Athens, Georgia on Sunday morning, according to ESPN.com.
“The entire Georgia family is devastated by the tragic loss of football student-athlete Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy,” read a statement on Twitter from the UGA Athletic Association.
“We are all heartbroken and devastated with the loss of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy,” Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said in a statement. “Devin was an outstanding young man in every way.
He was always smiling, was a great teammate and a joy to coach. Chandler was a valuable member of our football staff and brought an incredible attitude and energy every single day. We grieve with their families for this tragic loss and will support them in every way possible.”
Willock, 20, a redshirt sophomore from New Milford, New Jersey, according to ESPN.com, started two games on the offensive line this past season. Recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy was also killed, according to the University.
Willock, along with LeCroy, who was driving, was killed when their 2021 Ford Expedition left the road in the outside lane of Barnett Shoals Road in Athens and struck two power poles and several trees, according to ESPN.com. Athens-Clarke County Police reported the single-vehicle accident occurred around 2:45 a.m. ET on Sunday, January 15.
Police said Willock died at the scene while LeCroy was transported to a local hospital by ambulance and died as a result of her injuries.
The native New Jerseyan, a 6-foot-7, 335-pound offensive lineman, reportedly played in all 15 games for the Bulldogs this past season, including starts at right guard in victories against Tennessee and Kentucky.
He was ranked the No. 39 guard prospect in the country and No. 17 prospect in New Jersey by ESPN Recruiting as a senior at Paramus Catholic High School in 2020.
Two other individuals that were in the car are in stable condition. One, a 21-year-old male passenger, Warren McClendon, a 6-foot-4, 300-pound offensive tackle who started 13 games for the Bulldogs this past season, sustained minor injuries; while a 26-year-old female passenger sustained serious injuries.
McClendon, from Brunswick, Georgia, announced on Saturday that he is entering the NFL draft.
The wreck came hours after the Bulldogs celebrated winning back-to-back National Championships with a parade and ceremony at Sanford Stadium, ESPN reported. Georgia defeated TCU 65-7 in the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles on Monday, January 9.
