National champion Georgia’s offensive lineman Devin Willock & recruiting staffer die in a car crash

Two members of the University of Georgia football team – offensive lineman Devin Willock and football recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed early Sunday morning in a car crash.

Police responded to a report of a crashed 2021 Ford Expedition in Athens, Georgia at 2:45am earlier this morning.

Willock was a passenger in the car and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 20 years old.

The car was being driven LeCroy – who was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital, but died shortly afterwards. She was 24 years old.

Two other unidentified passengers in the car – a 21-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman – were also seriously injured in the accident. Both are in stable condition.

According to sources from ESPN, junior offensive lineman Warren McClendon was involved in the crash, but is stable. Just a day earlier, McClendon declared for the 2023 NFL Draft.

The vehicle was being driven by 24-year-old Chandler LeCroy, who was transported to the hospital by ambulance, but died shortly after

A statement from the University of Georgia Athletics bemoaned the loss of both Willock and LeCroy while confirming that the other two injured passengers were members of the football program.

‘The entire Georgia family is devastated by the tragic loss of football student-athlete Devin Willock and football staff member Chandler LeCroy. 

‘Two other members of the football program were injured in the accident. They are both in stable condition, and we will continue to monitor their status with medical personnel.

‘Devin and Chandler were two special people who meant so much to the University of Georgia, our football program and our athletic department. We ask that everyone keep their families in your prayers during this very difficult time.

‘The UGA Athletic Association will work with our medical team as well as our mental health and performance personnel to make sure we are providing the best support possible for our staff and student-athletes who are processing this grief. 

‘We can provide no further comment at this time but ask that everyone continue to keep those involved in your prayers.’

As a redshirt sophomore, Willock played in all 15 games for the Dawgs, including two starts

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey posted on Twitter, saying, ‘Incredibly sad news and we join in sharing our sympathies, prayers and support.’

Bulldog teammate and senior linebacker Nolan Smith also posted his thoughts and feelings on Twitter in the aftermath.

‘My this s**t hurt my heart man, all I have to say the GREAT ONE LEAVE TO (sic) SOON,’ the tweet reads. ‘@DevinWillock I LOVE YOU FOREVER.’ 

Just hours earlier, Willock had been in a victory parade with his teammates around the Athens area.

Willock posted multiple videos on his Instagram account of the festivities, with the lineman smiling and joyfully celebrating alongside them.

As a redshirt sophomore, Willock played all 15 games this season for the Dawgs, – including the national title game and started in games against Tennessee and Kentucky.

Willock was ranked the No. 39 guard in the country and the No. 17 prospect from his home state of New Jersey by ESPN. 

Just earlier that day, Willock posted multiple videos to Instagram celebrating with his team

Last week, Georgia defeated TCU 65-7 for the school’s second consecutive football title

Chandler LeCroy was a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Mary Frances Early College of Education, according to her LinkedIn page.

The Georgia native got her Bachelors of Education degree in Sport Management in 2020 and followed that up with a Masters degree in Sport Management and Policy in 2021. 

LeCroy had been with the school’s athletic department for four years – starting as a sports marketing promotions intern before taking the job as a football recruiting analyst in May of 2021. 

LeCroy graduated UGA with both a bachelors and a masters in sport management by 2021

The Georgia native had been a football recruiting analyst with the Bulldogs since May of 2021