When a coach on “The Voice” lets out an excited “Whoo!” you know a contestant has made a promising start.

Jerome Godwin III, a singer from Montgomery, put his best foot forward on Monday’s episode of the NBC reality series, covering Ariana Grande’s “pov.” Godwin’s “super soulful” performance received a big thumb’s up from Niall Horan — who erupted with a “Whoo!” or two — and landed him a spot on Team Niall. (Watch Godwin’s audition in the video below.)

Godwin, 20, received a two-chair turn during the show’s blind auditions, from coaches Horan and Kelly Clarkson. Horan is the newest “Voice” coach, making his debut on the show in Season 23, but his past as a member of the band One Direction makes him popular and influential with viewers.

A chair turn on “The Voice,” of course, is a signal that a celebrity coach wants a singer on his or her team. If more than one coach turns a chair during the blind auditions, the singer gets to choose his or her coach. Horan and Clarkson both offered compliments and coaxing to Godwin, praising everything from his vocals to his personality to his smile. (Godwin is a pre-dentistry student at Auburn University at Montgomery.)

“Your runs were so cool,” Clarkson said. “You could feel how excited you were before I even turned around. I hope you never lose that passion and that desire. Keep that with you always as a creative person — as a human, really. Your smile is like the greatest smile ever. … I also have experience winning this show, so if you like being on a team that has that, I would love to have you on my team, man. I just really, really dig your voice.”

“Your voice is incredible,” Horan told Godwin. “Like, that low stuff is amazing. For a while, I didn’t think it was going to take off, and then I hit my button (to turn the chair) the minute you went there, ‘cause I couldn’t wait for you to get right up there, and I feel like I want to hear more of that. It would be incredible to have you on my team. I mean, that smile, the great teeth. They’re fantastic. The people watching this at home are going to fall in love with you. You’re such a likable dude with an incredible voice.”

In the end, though, Godwin went with Horan, who cheered, hugged him and presented Godwin with a Team Niall hoodie.

“I always felt like I was missing someone like Jerome (on my team),” Horan said. “Someone, like, super soulful.”

Godwin moves on to the battle rounds, where he’ll duet/duel with another contestant on Horan’s team, vying to keep his spot in the competition. He’s the third singer from Alabama to ace the blind auditions on “The Voice” this season.

Ryley Tate Wilson of Montgomery also was featured on Monday’s episode, covering “Dancing On My Own” and joining Team Niall. D. Smooth of Birmingham appeared on a previous episode, covering Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” and joining Team Kelly.

“The Voice” airs on NBC twice per week: Mondays at 7 p.m. CT and Tuesdays at 8 p.m. CT. Early episodes of the show are filmed in advance.

Alabama’s never had a winner on “The Voice,” but three singers from our state have made it to the finals: Dexter Roberts, who took third place on Season 16; Kirk Jay, who placed third on Season 15; and Red Marlow, who came in fourth during Season 13. Other “Voice” contestants from the state have included Berritt Haynes, Emma Caroline Warren, Levi Watkins, Cam Spinks, Josie Jones and Worth the Wait.

MORE ON “THE VOICE”: