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Commit Roundup: Ponatoski shines again, Dickerson's long TD, and Duncum's rising stock

Zack Geogheganby: Zack Geoghegan8 hours agoZGeogheganKSR
Ben Duncum on his official visit to Kentucky, via UK Athletics
Ben Duncum on his official visit to Kentucky, via UK Athletics

Nearly all (14 out of 15) of Kentucky football’s class of 2026 commits were in action over the last few days, and plenty of them had big performances.

None were bigger than Matt Ponatoski’s, though, as the four-star QB continues to prove why he’s ranked among the best players in the country. He hasn’t thrown an interception in three games now and has visited Lexington in back-to-back weeks. Keeping him locked in will be the top priority with this class of future ‘Cats.

But he wasn’t the only one who impressed. WR Dallas Dickerson hauled in a long touchdown reception, DL Ben Duncum had a big defensive game (as his stock starts to soar), and TE Lincoln Watkins and CB Isaiah McMillian got into the end zone. WR Prince Jean also racked up over 120 yards through the air. You can read more on how they and the rest of the commits played 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 this past weekend

*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 performance from Matt Ponatoski as Moeller (3-1) cruised to a 49-28 win over CPA. The signal-caller tossed the rock 31 times, completing 25 of them for 297 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Over his last three games (all against teams that won state championships in 2024), Ponatoski has thrown for 12 touchdowns and no picks. Also, he was in Lexington for the second straight weekend to see the Wildcats play.

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

  • Messiah Tilson and Guilford improved to 2-1 following a 56-13 smashing of Rockford Auburn. Stats were not made available.

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

  • Jordan Crutchfield and Vero Beach (4-0) cruised to a 37-0 shutout over Centennial. After appearing in his team’s first three games, Crutchfield was held out of this one.

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

  • Bye week. Denairius Gray and Chaminade-Madonna Prep (3-1) return to action on Monday, Sept. 22, against Edison (1-3).

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

  • Dallas Dickerson and North Oconee (4-0) remain perfect after a 35-0 drumming of Jefferson on Friday. Stats were not made available, but we know that Dickerson hauled in a deep 48-yard touchdown catch for the final score of the game. You can watch his full Hudl highlights below. North Oconee has only allowed seven points through four games this season.

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

  • Tyreek Jemison and Paulding County (1-3) finally got in the win column with Friday’s 28-19 victory over South Cobb. Jemison recently posted Hudl highlights of his first four games, including from this past week’s win. Of note, Jemison was at the Georgia Tech game to watch the Yellow Jackets upset Clemson, although he says he remains committed to the Wildcats.

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

  • Ben Duncum (who shot up roughly 300 spots due to a recent rankings update) and Lake Travis sit on a 3-0 record after demolishing Midland Legacy, 59-13, on Friday. Duncum was credited with five total tackles, two of them coming for a loss, along with one quarterback hurry. Like Jemison, other schools are in his ear, but Duncum is still locked in with UK and will be in Lexington later this fall for a visit. Watch highlights from his first three games below.

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 (2-1) bounced back from last week’s 3-2 loss by taking down Utica Ford, 35-6. Stats were not made available, but Watkins posted a Hudl video showing him lining up at the goal line and running in a two-yard touchdown.

Garrett Witherington (DL) 6-4, 290 | Briarwood Christian (Birmingham, AL)
3-star: No. 838 overall, No. 87 DL

  • Garrett Witherington and Briarwood Christian (2-2) got back to .500 thanks to a 30-22 win over Carver Birmingham. Suiting up on the defensive line, Witherington and Co. held Carver Birmingham to just 33 rushing yards and only 133 yards passing. Individual defensive stats were not made available.

Isaiah McMillian (CB) 6-0, 170 | Katy (Katy, TX)
3-star: No. 878 overall, No. 82 CB

  • Isaiah McMillian and Katy (1-2) picked up their first win of the season with a 57-0 shutout over Morton Ranch. McMillian was credited with a 31-yard touchdown run in the blowout.

Prince Jean (WR) 6-0, 170 | Valdosta (Valdosta, GA)
3-star: No. 976 overall, No. 146 WR

  • Prince Jean and Valdosta (5-0) continue to dominate after a 41-3 victory over South Gwinnett on Friday. Jean was all over the field, totaling 121 receiving yards on seven catches with a long of 37 yards. He also punted once for 30 yards and returned a punt of his own for 24 yards the other way. Check out his midseason Hudl highlights below.

Cameron Miller (OT) 6-5, 310 | Morton (Hammond, IN)
3-star: No. 1,002 overall, No. 75 OT

  • Cameron Miller and Morton (2-2) couldn’t take care of business on Friday in a 34-17 loss to Byron Center. With Miller leading the offensive line, Morton still managed 128 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

Max Mohring (LB) 6-3, 215 | Malvern Prep (Downingtown, PA)
3-star: No. 1,081 overall, No. 96 LB

  • It was an easy 35-7 win for Max Mohring and Malvern Prep (2-1) over Imhotep Charter on Friday. Mohring and the Malvern Prep defense held Imhotep Charter to 52 rushing yards on 32 carries and just 158 total yards.

Davis McCray (WR) 6-2, 190 | Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, TX)
3-star: No. 1,196 overall, No. 182 WR

  • Davis McCray and Cornerstone Christian (2-1) lost a heartbreaker to Parish Episcopal, 43-38, on Friday. McCray was credited with three receptions for 24 yards on offense and one interception on defense.

Delvechhio Alston (RB) 6-0, 200 | Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, AL)
3-star: No. 1,285 overall, No. 76 RB

  • Delvechhio “Duece” Alston and Hewitt-Trussville moved to 4-0 on the season after sneaking past Hoover, 17-14, on Friday. Alston recorded 14 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown while also returning a kickoff 23 yards on special teams.

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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2025-09-15