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4-star QB Matt Ponatoski names top 4 schools

Wg0vf-nP_400x400by: Keegan Pope06/02/25bykeeganpope
Moeller Crusaders Matt Ponatoski (7) looks to throw in the first half of a second-round Division I OHSAA high school football game against the St. Xavier Bombers, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at St. Xavier High School s RDI Field in Cincinnati. | © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
Moeller Crusaders Matt Ponatoski (7) looks to throw in the first half of a second-round Division I OHSAA high school football game against the St. Xavier Bombers, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, at St. Xavier High School s RDI Field in Cincinnati. | © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Cincinnati (Ohio) Archbishop Moeller four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski is down to four schools in his recruitment, he told On3’s Hayes Fawcett on Monday.

Among the remaining contenders for Ponatoski are Alabama, Oregon, Arkansas and Kentucky. In addition to football, he also plans to play baseball at the college level, another factor in his ultimate commitment decision.

He has seen his recruitment on the gridiron heat up significantly in recent months, with the Ducks offering him on early May followed by an offer from the Crimson Tide a week later.

Last month, he locked in an official visit with the Ducks for June 20. And they looked to be the biggest threat to land him. But Alabama has come on strong and also locked in an official visit, which will take place this coming weekend.

“It’s one of the best programs ever when it comes to football,” Ponatoski said. “It’s an offer you dream about so it was really cool when I got the call unexpectedly!”

And while he has primarily been focused on playing baseball at the next level, Ponatoski is now considering the opportunity to do both. Arkansas and Kentucky have been pursuing him in both sports for some time now, and they are strong contenders as well.

Ponatoski’s recruitment just beginning to heat up

Even in the midst of all the new attention, he has largely been away from football since his high school season ended.

“I think I’m pretty raw,” Ponatoski told On3’s Steve Wiltfong last month. “I don’t really work with anybody, so I think there’s a lot of improvement that can be done. And, you know, just trying to balance. You know, throwing the baseball and throwing the football is kind of why I feel like the development is still raw, just because I can’t throw as much as I want to. But I think there’s a lot of room for growth.”

As a junior, he led Moeller to the state championship game and threw for over 4,000 yards and 56 touchdowns to just three interceptions.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder is the No. 282 overall prospect and No. 20 QB in the 2026 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

On3 meanwhile, is higher on him than the other services. In the most recent On300 rankings, he was tabbed as the country’s No. 100 overall recruit and No. 9 passer.