Back-To-Back

and Brock Bowers were locked in to start
the game and the rushing attack of Kenny
McIntosh and Daijun Edwards were torching
Florida’s defensive line. However, late in the
third quarter, Georgia found themselves up
just eight points as the score had become
28-20 after multiple Bulldog turnovers. Not
only was Georgia’s lead dwindling, but star
edge rusher and team captain, Nolan Smith,
left the game with a torn pectoral muscle.
Georgia, however, stepped on the gas and
pulled away for a comfortable 42-20 victory.
Throughout the season, Georgia certainly
faced the type of adversity and challenges
that other title-defending teams may not
have overcome. But this Georgia team had
tasted winning it all the year before and
was motivated to not only repeat, but to
do so in an unblemished fashion. Georgia’s
championship culture is a topic that was
heavily referenced through the later parts
of the season. That culture is why Malaki
Starks chased down a Missouri player and
tackled him at the 1-yard line which forced
a field goal instead of a touchdown. This
type of perseverance is what kept it just a
two-possession game instead of a threepossession
game, making a comeback
plausible. That culture also defines why Ladd
McConkey, despite playing the worst first
half of his life against Kent State, managed
to make huge catches in the second half,
allowing Georgia to put together scoring
drives and pull away late. It is also why
Nolan Smith came back out on the field
to be with his teammates on the sideline
against Florida, helping show strength and
encouragement when the game got tight.
These same championship, never-say-die
traits displayed throughout a long season
also explain why Georgia was able to
overcome late season adversity when they
found themselves down 14 points against
an uber-talented Ohio State team in the CFP-
Semi Peach Bowl. As they showed all season,
no matter the score, no matter who was on
the field, our Dawgs competed. They fought
when they were down and out, they showed
leadership on the sideline, and they played
for one another. Smart says he preached
“connection” to this Bulldog team. That
connection, coupled with a will to hunt and
not be hunted, embodied the championship
mentality of the 2022 Dawgs.
Resiliency Through Tragedy
On January 14, 2023, Bulldog Nation
gathered in Sanford Stadium one last time to
celebrate our 2022 national championship
football team. It was a beautiful Saturday
afternoon. Chilly, but the excitement and
pride in the air was palpable. Thousands
lined up in red and black just to catch a
glimpse of Stetson Bennett and company
one final time before the dreaded eight
month wait for college football to return. Key
members of the team spoke to the crowd,
thanking them for their continued support
and explaining how grateful they were to be
Georgia Bulldogs.
Less than 24 hours later, we woke that
Sunday morning to the devastating news
that Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy had
passed away after a terrible car accident
around 2:45 a.m. Sunday morning.
Willock was a 6-7, 335-pound guard for
the Bulldogs. Not only was he a mammoth
on the offensive line and an incredible run
blocker, he was a true student athlete who
was an honor roll student with all As. Devin
appeared in every game this season, starting
in two. Most notably, against Tennessee,
Willock manhandled a Tennessee defensive
line after getting the start.
In a terrific article published by Jeff
Sentell on DawgNation, it was brought to
light how much Willock loved UGA. Sentell
reported that John Whitehead, his former
high school coach, said Willock was texting
him talking about going for a third straight
championship. Willock said he was “going
to be a Dawg as long as Kirby Smart wanted
him to be.”
In today’s world of college football, with
NIL and the transfer portal, most players of
Willock’s size, stature, and hype would have
entered the transfer portal looking for a big
check or endorsement deals with extensive
playing time attached. Instead, Willock
redshirted, bought into the Georgia process,
and developed into a phenomenal offensive
guard. Not only did he buy into the program,
but he fell in love with the same university
we all cherish. He wanted to suit up on
Saturdays in red and black with a “G” on the
side of his helmet and go to war for Kirby
Smart’s team.
Willock was loved tremendously by his
teammates. Connection is a trait Kirby Smart
constantly preaches in order to have a
successful team. These young men become
brothers and that’s important to understand.
This level of connection helps them achieve
not just their on the field goals, but gives
them friendships and relationships that will
carry on long after playing careers have
ended.
Chandler LeCroy was a whole lot more
than just a member of the recruiting staff for
Georgia football. LeCroy was an intelligent,
young, passionate woman who shared a
special connection with Georgia football
players. Javon Bullard, Jordan Davis, and
Kirby Smart were quick to post messages
mourning the loss of Chandler. Javon
has posted multiple pictures of himself
with Chandler as well as a Georgia jersey
with the number 98 on the back with a
name plate that reads “Chandler.” Coach
Smart’s tweet reads: “Gone far too soon.
Chandler, I will always remember you for
your kind heart.” Even Dylan Raiola, a 5-star
quarterback who is the No. 1 overall rated
player in the 2024 recruiting class has
changed his Twitter profile picture to one of
himself and Chandler together on Raiola’s
recruiting visit to Georgia. In his bio, it reads
“#chandlerlecroy.”
It goes without saying that Chandler
LeCroy and Devin Willock’s impact on this
football team will continue for years to
come. They were beautiful people who
represented all things positive about the
University of Georgia.
The Georgia football program will play
next season with heavy hearts. Devin
would most likely have been the starter
at guard and Chandler would still have
been connecting with players and highly
touted recruits. The Bulldogs are going
to have to find a way to once again be
resilient. While the team has proven
time after time that they are capable of
overcoming numerous challenges on
the field, it will take time to heal from
this terrible tragedy. Chandler and Devin
will undoubtedly be looking down from
above and cheering on the Dawgs with
their infectious smiles. May those two
beautiful souls rest in peace.
CHANDLER LECROY
PHOTO VIA GOFUNDME.COM
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED
37 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS EDITION