Kirby Smart won over Richard LeCounte III — the top-rated athlete in next year’s recruiting cycle — earlier in the month, and he’s making an impression on another highly regarded athlete.

That would be four-star prospect Jamyest Williams, who says Smart’s recent recruiting efforts have not gone unnoticed.

In the past two weeks, the one-time Alabama defensive chief has picked up verbal commitments from LeCounte III and four-star linebacker Breon Dixon. He even corralled several top recruits, Williams included, in Athens the weekend of Dec. 12 for Georgia’s annual Gala event.

That sense of inclusion has resonated with Williams.

“He didn’t have to set up the Gala and have all the recruits come up there,” Williams said. “I can tell coach Smart is trying to build something special. I can see it already.”

Williams, who has reported 40 offers, maintains that Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, Ohio State and Georgia are ahead in his recruitment. But he conceded to DawgNation that Smart’s arrival has put the Bulldogs in a better position to land his signature.

“My interest is going up with them,” Williams said.

He is rated as the No. 5 athlete in 2017.