Kirby Smart on Mykel Williams: "He was a kid we not only wanted, but needed to sign"

Heading into the February National Signing Day, Georgia sits at No. 3 in the Team Rankings. Kirby Smart and the staff in Athens have again put an elite recruiting class together and landing some of the top prospects in its home state was a big part of that.

Out of the 24 prospects that signed in December, nine played high school football in the Peach State. Since taking over at Georgia, Smart it clear that he wanted to keep the prospects that fit the Georgia standard at home.

He did that with five-star defensive lineman Mykel Williams. The 6-foot-5, 261-pound talent out of Columbus Hardaway was in the discussion for the No. 1 prospect in the country until the final discussion.

After finishing his senior season with 81 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks, Williams put on a show at the All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Williams finished as the No. 2 prospect in the final 2022 On300 and Smart knows he landed a big-time talent.

“Mykel was a special prospect in this class from early on,” Smart told On3. “It became clear he was a kid we not only wanted, but needed to sign, being from our home state.

“We can all fall in love with his film, his athletic ability, and his size, but the ultimate separator for Mykel was so much more than that.

“He is a kid that fits what we want in our program in terms of leadership and character. He can bring a lot to the table while also raising the standard of those around him.”

Williams is already on campus working out as an early enrollee. Not only did Smart sign a five-star, but he signed a five-star family.

“We are excited Mykel and his family, John, his sisters, grandparents – all 10-plus that came on the official visit and chose to join the Dawg family. We look forward to seeing his growth in our program.”