Get To Know: 2020 Signee Devin Willock
Of all of Georgia’s 2020 signees, offensive lineman Devin Willock may be the biggest question mark. Not because of his play on the field, but because Georgia fans just may not know much about him.
The big lineman out of Paramus Catholic (NJ) was on Georgia’s radar under old offensive line coach Sam Pittman, but things really started to heat up once the Bulldogs hired Matt Luke. After Luke’s in-home visit with Willock and his family, sources say the Bulldogs put themselves in a great spot to land the New Jersey native. In the end, the 6-foot-7 325-pounder flipped to Georgia from Penn State and signed with the Bulldogs during the early signing period on December 18th.
So why did Willock sign with Georgia?
“I think for me personally it was just that Georgia was always a dream school,” Willock told Dawg Post. “I’ve seen how they utilized bigger linemen and basically dominated the SEC in the run game. Georgia was the most put-together school I’ve visited, meaning that it had everything I want on campus. I could fully picture myself there for 4 years. Then once I had my in-home visit with offensive line coach Matt Luke and saw him making me and my entire feel comfortable about his new role, It was a done deal. When I was in downtown Athens on my official visit was when it hit me that this is where I deserve to be. I was really amazed with the whole town and knew it really is the best place out there.”
What made Matt Luke the right coach for the big New Jersey lineman?
“Definitely his passion,” Willock said. “I feel like Coach Luke has this contagious energy about the game that I just know is going to push me once I’m on campus. He believes I’m capable to play either tackle or guard, and once I get down to campus will determine everything.”
He might not have been the most highly-ranked prospect, but don’t let the rankings fool you. Willock’s assistant coach at Paramus Catholic, Christian Maldonado, told Dawg Post that Willock has all the tools to be very successful in Athens.
“His biggest and most commendable asset is that he’s a team player who focuses both on the field and in the classroom with equal vigor. He is an innate competitor. When he starts something, he plans to excel and progress. This is a kid who is no fan of losing, who relishes at the chance to overcome any challenges set before him. He is a leader, someone who his peers look up too, and has that natural knack, that simply cannot be taught, to raise those around him to a higher place.”
That’s exactly what you want from an off-the-field standpoint.
“Devin is as high character as there is,” Maldonado added. “He just gets it. When you hear his measurables you would think he could be sloppy but that is just not the case. Let it be known he is not fat. He’s just a really big guy. Devin has definition in his triceps, a barrel chest, big traps, big forearms, and HUGE hands. His body has completely transformed. The kid worked his tail off to achieve that. He’s 6’7 325 right now. When we first got him he was almost 360. His work ethic is just inherent to who he is as a person.”