Warren McClendon describes healing process, next steps following involvement in fatal crash

Tragedy struck in the Georgia football program just days after winning a second consecutive national championship. Offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash on Jan. 15. Two other people were in the vehicle but survived, with one being Warren McClendon.

Just over two weeks later, McClendon is now participating in the Senior Bowl, hoping to improve his stock for the 2023 NFL Draft. That doesn’t mean the grieving process has been an easy one. McClendon explained how therapy has been a powerful tool for him.

“It was rough for me but I’ve been talking to a psychiatrist and it’s been getting better day by day,” McClendon said. “(The therapy) is very helpful. At first, I was kind of trying to push away from it, but it’s helpful.”

After going through an event such as a car crash, it would be easy for McClendon to take a step away from football. That’s not in the DNA of the Georgia offensive lineman though, especially Willock. If Willock was still with us, McClendon thinks he would want the soon-to-be NFL player out there competing.

“I know Devin,” McClendon said. “If he was still here, he’d want me to come out here and give it my all.”

McClendon was given the No. 77 by the Senior Bowl, the same number Willock wore in Athens. Honoring his fallen teammate that way was a “no-brainer” for McClendon. You can tell this week for McClendon is being done for Willock.

“It was a no-brainer,” McClendon said. “After everything happened, I was like, I have to wear it for him. My brother, my roommate, I had to do it for him.”

McClendon will continue to work in Mobile, hoping to impress NFL coaches, scouts, and general managers in attendance. He was a long-time starter for Georgia and was able to play a major role in the greatest two-year stretch in program history.

Warren McClendon remembers LeCroy and Willock

Tuesday was the first time McClendon was able to speak to the media since the incident occurred. He spent time remembering both LeCroy and Willock. The good times between the three friends were remembered.

“They were both hard workers,” McClendon said. “They were both goofy, they wanted to make you laugh. They were always light in a room of dark. Every time you were down, they’d always make me laugh.”