Not all recruiting wins are created equally. This time, it’s not just a win for Mark Stoops, but for Nick Mingione. Matt Ponatoski has committed to Kentucky.
“I’ll be committing to the University of Kentucky to play baseball and football,” Ponatoski tells KSR+. “Big Blue Nation, I’m ready to work. I’m coming not to change the program, but we’re going to put the program on the map.”
The Cincinnati Moeller athlete is an expert at throwing balls. He was tabbed as the most accurate quarterback in the country during last week’s Elite 11 camp. He’s also an All-American shortstop, ranked as one of the Top 20 baseball recruits in the country.
Mark Stoops secured a commitment from Ponatoski without actually hosting him for an official visit. Nick Mingione hosted him on behalf of the Bat Cats this spring. That’s right around the time his football recruitment really blew up. Alabama and Oregon entered the picture, and each school was able to get him on campus. Prior to his trip out west for the Elite 11 and his Oregon OV, he made a crucial pitstop in Lexington. That trip to meet with Bush Hamdan and the rest of the offense set the wheels in motion for this historic commitment.
Ponatoski is the most prolific quarterback recruit to commit to Kentucky since Tim Couch. He’s the ninth-ranked quarterback in the country and No. 100 overall player, according to On3. That ranking is going to soar once all of the recruiting services complete their next round of updates.
Often considered a baseball-first prospect, he might not have even been ranked when he camped at Kentucky last summer. Then he went out and dominated the most competitive division in Ohio high school football.
Ponatoski threw for 4,200 yards, 58 touchdowns, and only three interceptions in the Greater Catholic League. He was often the best player on the field in front of sold-out crowds. The College GameDay crew was in the stands when Ponatoski outdueled St. X’s Chase Herbstreit in a 45-37 playoff shootout. In the semifinals the following week, Ponatoski had 431 yards and six touchdowns in the first half. Moeller ultimately fell short in the Ohio Division I State Championship Game, a 28-14 loss to Olentangy Liberty.
In 2024, Ponatoski was Ohio Mr. Football. He earned Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year honors in both baseball and football.
What People Say About Ponatoski’s Game
The Elite 11 Camp earlier this month put Ponatoski on center stage in front of noteworthy talent evaluators and reporters around college football. Even though he did not win the event, it was clear that he was one of the best players on the field.
“Ponatoski looked like the most accurate Elite 11 Finalist throughout the week,” On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote. “The Cincinnati native was a smooth operator each day. He made drill work look easy, consistently delivering well-placed, catchable passes. Ponatoski carried that into Day 2, turning in one of the more impressive pro day showings while earning the highest score from the Elite 11 staff. The capped the week off with a solid showing in 7-on-7 that saw him throw three touchdowns. A dual sport star who doubles as a top baseball prospect, Ponatoski is an accurate, rhythm passer with natural timing and feel.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has been covering the event for more than 20 years, and this year’s group was one of the most talented he’s ever seen.
“The most pleasant surprise to me was Ohio’s Matt Ponatoski, ranked as the No. 29 QB by 247Sports. The two-sport star has an electric arm, having been clocked at 97 mph as a pitcher. That arm wowed me Thursday morning in his 7-on-7 performance. The 6-1, 196-pounder, who is uncommitted, made two ‘wow’ throws to receivers who didn’t look open at all, but he fired the ball into the only spot he could and completed the passes. It was impressive.”
Justin Hoover, one of the coaches at the event, told Feldman, “He had a couple of those every day we were here. He’s got some confidence to put it in places that others wouldn’t even attempt to throw. He really stood out.”
