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Commit Roundup: More Ponatoski highlights, Watkins' long TD, and Jean's big day

Zack Geogheganby: Zack Geoghegan3 hours agoZGeogheganKSR
Lincoln Watkins
(Photo courtesy of UK Athletics)

Led by another impressive showing from 4-star QB commit Matt Ponatoski, it was a productive week for Kentucky football’s class of 2026 commits.

This past week, 14 of the Wildcats’ 15 pledges were in action, with three-star OT Tyreek Jemison the only player on a bye. Ponatoski was lethal throwing the ball once again as Moeller (OH) cruised to an easy win, but he was hardly the only future ‘Cat making plays. Three-star TE Lincoln Watkins took a jet sweep over 50 yards for a touchdown, three-star WR Prince Jean went for over 100 receiving yards, three-star DL Ben Duncum helped keep his team undefeated, and much more.

To learn more about how all of Kentucky’s commits looked last week on the gridiron, dive in below.

Thank you to today’s sponsor, our friend Andy Luedecke at MyPerfectFranchise. Andy is a huge college sports fan and franchise veteran, having owned multiple franchises and businesses. Using his expertise, he helps others find their American Dream through a very thorough consultation and evaluation process.

If you are wanting to find a way out of corporate America, wanting a side-hustle business, or a way to diversify…..reach out to Andy, as he’s got a ton of knowledge in this world and best of all, his services are 100% free to you – always! After you finish this post, you can learn more or reach Andy at [email protected].

Kentucky FB commits in action last week

*Player ratings via the Rivals Industry Rankings*

Matt Ponatoski (QB) 6-2, 190 | Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati, OH)
4-star: No. 238 overall, No. 19 QB

  • It was another big week and another big win for Matt Ponatoski and Moeller (5-1). The Crusaders smacked La Salle on Friday, 42-7, as Ponatoski threw for 206 yards and three touchdowns on 17-22 passing with zero interceptions. There was speculation going around social media that he was no longer committed to Kentucky, but that is 100 percent false — Ponatoski remains a Wildcat and is putting together an excellent senior season.

Messiah Tilson (S) 6-2, 165 | Guilford (Rockford, IL)
4-star: No. 322 overall, No. 28 S

  • Messiah Tilson and Guilford (4-1) picked up a 31-28 win over Harlem on Friday night. Stats were not made available, but Tilson did post a Hudl video showcasing his midseason highlights. Through his first four weeks of action, he recorded 25 tackles and three interceptions on defense, plus 20 receptions for 275 receiving yards and two touchdowns on offense.

Jordan Crutchfield (S) 6-2, 195 | Vero Beach (Fort Pierce, FL)
4-star: No. 426 overall, No. 37 S

  • Another week, another win for undefeated Vero Beach (5-0), which snuck past Central 21-13 on Friday. However, it does not appear that Jordan Crutchfield suited up for Vero Beach.

Denairius Gray (WR) 6-1, 170 | Chaminade-Madonna Prep (Boynton Beach, FL)
3-star: No. 484 overall, No. 74 WR

  • Denairus Gray and Chaminade-Madonna Prep (4-1) reeled off another blowout win, this one a 56-0 shutout of Western. Gray was credited with one reception for 18 yards and a touchdown. His score put Chaminade-Madonna ahead 28-0.

Dallas Dickerson (WR) 6-1, 180 | North Oconee (Bogart, GA)
3-star: No. 544 overall, No. 84 WR

  • Dallas Dickerson and North Oconee (6-0) continue to cruise this season after dominating Cedar Shoals 48-6 on Friday. Stats were not made available, but we know that Dickerson found the end zone at least once for a 10-yard TD, which came right before halftime. Hudl highlights show him totaling at least two receptions while returning two punts (with plenty of jukes) for long gains.

Tyreek Jemison (OT) 6-5, 330 | Paulding County (Dallas, GA)
3-star: No. 573 overall, No. 42 OT

  • Bye week. Tyreek Jemison and Paulding County (1-4) will return to action on Friday against Hillgrove.

Ben Duncum (DL) 6-5, 250 | Lake Travis (Austin, TX)
3-star: No. 617 overall, No. 64 DL

  • Teams are having a tough time slowing down Ben Duncum and Lake Travis, which moved to 5-0 thanks to a 63-21 smacking of Bowie on Thursday. Duncum was credited with three tackles in the landslide win. Lake Travis actually trailed this one 14-0 after the first quarter, but rattled off 42 unanswered points in the second.

Lincoln Watkins (TE) 6-4, 225 | Port Huron Northern (Port Huron, MI)
3-star: No. 623 overall, No. 37 TE

  • Lincoln Watkins and Port Huron Northern (4-1) took down local foe Port Huron 21-7 on Friday. Stats were not made available, but we do know that Watkins made one of the biggest plays of the game, taking a jet sweep 56 yards to the house that put his team up by 14 with three minutes to play.

Garrett Witherington (DL) 6-4, 290 | Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, AL)
3-star: No. 839 overall, No. 87 DL

  • Garrett Witherington and Briarwood Christian (3-3) dropped a heartbreaker on Friday, losing to Leeds 29-28. Leeds took its first and only lead of the night on a 30-yard trick play touchdown pass with time running down. Stats were not made available, but we do know that Witherington recorded at least one sack in the loss.

Isaiah McMillian (CB) 6-0, 170 | Katy (Katy, TX)
3-star: No. 879 overall, No. 82 CB

  • Isaiah McMillian and Katy (3-2) smashed Seven Lakes, 52-7, on Friday. Stats were not made available.

Prince Jean (WR) 6-0, 170 | Valdosta (Valdosta, GA)
3-star: No. 978 overall, No. 146 WR

  • Prince Jean and Valdosta improved to 6-0 after taking down Camden County 63-19 on Friday. Jean was impressive with his four receptions for 124 yards, including a long of 39 yards. He also returned a pair of kickoffs, one going for 34 yards and the other 30 yards.

Cameron Miller (OT) 6-5, 310 | Morton (Hammond, IN)
3-star: No. 1,004 overall, No. 75 OT

  • It was a 57-0 shutout win for Cameron Miller and Morton (4-2) on Saturday against Calumet Christian. Stats were not made available.

Max Mohring (LB) 6-3, 215 | Malvern Prep (Downingtown, PA)
3-star: No. 1,084 overall, No. 96 LB

  • Max Mohring and Malvern prep (4-1) handed Gonzaga its first loss of the season on Friday in a tight 31-24 win. Stats were not made available, but Hudl highlights show Mohring recording several tackles.

Davis McCray (WR) 6-2, 190 | Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, TX)
3-star: No. 1,200 overall, No. 182 WR

  • Davis McCray and Cornerstone Christian (3-2) are coming off a 37-21 victory over LBJ Austin on Thursday. McCray caught two balls for 58 yards, one of them a 53-yarder off a screen that he took to the house. He also lined up on defense, registering a tackle and a pass deflection. Watch his long TD catch below.

Delvechhio Alston (RB) 6-0, 200 | Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, AL)
3-star: No. 1,289 overall, No. 76 RB

  • Delvechhio “Deuce” Alston and Hewitt-Trussville remain undefeated (6-0) after taking down Pinson Valley on Friday, 42-6. Alston rushed the ball eight times for 30 yards while also hauling in a catch for another 24 yards.

Learn more about Andy Luedecke and franchise ownership through these resources:
Andy’s Story
Why a Franchise
Service Based vs Brick and Mortar
Semi Absentee Ownership
The Process and How It works

e: [email protected]

Book time with Andy: Andy’s Calendar

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2025-09-29