Kentucky Football Scores Big with Top-10 QB Matt Ponatoski Over Fourth of July Weekend
Kentucky football joined the Independence Day recruiting blitz in a major way, securing a commitment from one of the nation’s top quarterback prospects. While programs like Notre Dame, Miami, and Syracuse made waves landing high-profile recruits, the Wildcats pulled off a huge win by landing four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski — ranked among the top 10 signal-callers in the 2025 class.
Ponatoski chose Kentucky over a host of national powerhouses. According to Hayes Fawcett of On3, Oregon, Alabama, and Arkansas were also in the mix but ultimately missed out.
At 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, Ponatoski isn’t just a standout on the gridiron. He’s also a top-tier baseball talent and plans to play both sports in Lexington, suiting up for the Wildcats on the diamond as well.
So what gave Kentucky the edge in landing such a coveted dual-sport athlete?
How Kentucky Won Over Matt Ponatoski
Ponatoski’s decision came down to more than just football. Kentucky’s commitment to allowing him to pursue both his gridiron and baseball dreams played a major role. The Wildcats’ coaching staff, led by head coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Liam Coen, built a strong relationship with Ponatoski and sold him on a vision of development, opportunity, and flexibility.
For Ponatoski, Lexington offered the rare chance to shine as a two-sport athlete at the highest level — all while playing in the SEC. With a clear path to early playing time and an offensive scheme tailored to his skill set, Kentucky gave him everything he was looking for.
The Wildcats may not always win head-to-head battles with national blue bloods, but in the case of Matt Ponatoski, they made the right pitch — and it paid off in a big way.
Matt Ponatoski on Choosing Kentucky: “They’ve Been Absolutely Phenomenal”
Just hours after announcing his verbal commitment to Kentucky, four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski — the reigning Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year — opened up about why he chose the Wildcats over powerhouse programs like Alabama and Oregon.
“It’s just the people there,” Ponatoski told On3 and Rivals. “They’ve been absolutely phenomenal. It’s been a really good relationship — both football and baseball. They’ve been there for a long time and shown love for a long time. It’s going on two years being recruited by them.”
The two-sport star from Ohio didn’t just draw attention from Kentucky’s football program. Wildcats baseball coach Nick Mingione also played a key role in his recruitment, joining head coach Mark Stoops and offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan in making their pitch. The unified approach across both sports clearly made an impact.
Ponatoski later told 247Sports’ Tom Loy that both Hamdan and Mingione were “fired up” about his decision — and he didn’t hesitate to share what kind of athlete Kentucky is getting.
“Kentucky is getting a competitor,” Ponatoski said. “They are getting someone who loves to work and someone who is going to get the job done, no matter how hard it is. There’s a reason I’m playing two sports. It’s because I love to compete and I have never, and will never, be afraid of competition or the man standing on the other side of the field.”
His commitment comes at a crucial time for the Wildcats. Kentucky lost projected starter Brock Vandagriff to the transfer portal during the January window — a significant blow to the quarterback room. Ponatoski becomes the 15th verbal pledge in Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting class and instantly elevates its national profile.
With elite talent, a fierce competitive edge, and a clear passion for both football and baseball, Ponatoski is setting the tone for what could be a special class in Lexington.
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