Commit Roundup: Tilson's big game, Ponatoski wins again, and Dickerson's 2 TDs

It was another busy (and impactful) stretch of football for Kentucky’s class of 2026 commits.

Only two of the Wildcats’ 15 pledges were on a bye last week. WR Denairius Gray and his Chaminade-Madonna Prep squad will actually play Monday night for their game, but the other 12 all took the field last Thursday/Friday. None played better than S Messiah Tilson, though, who recorded two massive interceptions with five minutes to go while the opposing team was driving. He also caught a touchdown on offense for good measure.

But Tilson wasn’t the only future ‘Cat putting up numbers. WR Dallas Dickerson went over 100 yards receiving, DL Ben Duncum helped keep his team undefeated, and WR Davis McCray hauled in both of his team’s touchdowns in a three-point win. QB Matt Ponatoski wasn’t as productive as usual, but he still found a way to push Moeller to victory.

Dive in below to see how they all performed as we’re already roughly halfway through the high school football season.

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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

Matt Ponatoski had his first “down” performance of the season, but he was still able to lead Moeller (5-1) to a 30-13 win over Cincinnati St. Xavier. The future ‘Cat finished with 136 yards through the air (16-26 passing) with one touchdown and his first interception of the season. For the year, the senior quarterback has completed 92-136 (67.6 percent) passes for 1,000 yards (7.3 yards per attempt) with 13 touchdowns and the lone interception — not too shabby.

Matt Ponatoski drops a fade ball from the opposite hash into a bucket to give Moeller a 14-7 lead.

LIVE UPDATES: https://t.co/xmXv8DrtKc https://t.co/JrQowxwe8e pic.twitter.com/Ivc8FVqd0E
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) September 19, 2025

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

Messiah Tilson and Guilford (3-1) took down Hononegah 17-10 on Friday. As has been the case all season long, Guilford did not provide stats. But thanks to Scott Leber of WTVO-ABC, we were able to find out that Tilson recorded a pair of interceptions, both coming in the final five minutes of a one-score game with Hononegah driving in Guilford territory. Tilson also hauled in a touchdown catch during the second quarter. You can’t ask for a better performance from the versatile athlete.

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

Bye week. Jordan Crutchfield and Vero Beach (4-0) will return to action on Friday night against Central.

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

Denairius Gray and Chaminade-Madonna Prep (3-1) will play last week’s game tonight (Monday, Sept. 22) against Edison.

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

Dallas Dickerson and North Oconee (5-0) remain perfect following a 41-6 blowout win on Friday over East Forsyth. Stats were not made available, but Hudl highlights show Dickerson recording at least three receptions, one of them a 33-yard touchdown score in the second quarter and another a goal-line fade for a second touchdown. He finished with over 100 receiving yards plus an interception on defense.

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

Tyreek Jemison and Paulding County fell to 1-4 on Friday after getting smoked 60-0 by McEachern. Stats were not made available for Paulding County — and that’s probably for the best.

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

Ben Duncum and Lake Travis moved to 4-0 thanks to Friday’s 41-6 win over San Marcos. After receiving a significant ratings bump last week, Duncum led his defense to force eight punts, a recovered fumble, and an interception while also sacking the San Marcos quarterback three times. According to LeeAnn Herring of UK Wildcats Wire, Duncum was credited with four tackles, a pass breakup, and four quarterback hurries.

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 improved to 3-1 following a 35-22 win over Cousino on Friday. Stats were not made available, but Hudl highlights show Watkins coming down with a 56-yard reception. He caught a quick slant from his quarterback, avoided the tackle, and broke loose before getting pushed out of bounds right before crossing the goal line.

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

Garrett Witherington and Briarwood Christian (3-2) took down Wenonah 40-22 on Friday. Stats were not made available, but Hudl highlights show Witherington recovering a loose fumble after his teammate knocked the ball loose, setting his team up at the opposing 11-yard line.

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

Isaiah McMillian and Katy (2-2) moved back to .500 with Thursday’s 56-28 drumming of Cinco Ranch. Stats were not made available, but Hudl highlights show the talented defensive back running 21 yards for a touchdown.

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

Bye week. Prince Jean and unbeaten Valdosta (5-0) will take the field again on Friday night against Camden County.

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

Cameron Miller and Morton (3-2) cruised past Phalen Leadership Academy with a 62-0 shutout. Stats were not made available.

Max Mohring (LB) 6-3, 215 | Malvern Prep (Downingtown, PA)
3-star: No. 1,083 overall, No. 96 LB

Max Mohring and Malvern Prep move to 3-1 on the season after a tight 17-14 victory over Salesianum. Stats were not made available.

Davis McCray (WR) 6-2, 190 | Cornerstone Christian (San Antonio, TX)
3-star: No. 1,199 overall, No. 182 WR

Davis McCray and Cornerstone Christian (2-2) came up short in Friday’s 17-14 loss to Midland Christian. McCray was credited with two rushes for eight yards on the ground, plus three receptions for 26 yards and both of his team’s touchdowns.

Delvechhio Alston (RB) 6-0, 200 | Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville, AL)
3-star: No. 1,288 overall, No. 76 RB

Delvechhio “Deuce” Alston and Hewitt-Trussville (5-0) have yet to drop a game after shutting out Hillcrest on Friday, 24-0. Alston was credited with 13 carries for 56 yards and a touchdown on the ground while also pulling in one reception for five more yards. He returned a kickoff for 13 yards, as well.

Hewitt-Trussville 7, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 0 | 7:10 1Q | Deuce Alston on the 1-yard touchdown run for the Huskies. pic.twitter.com/93p7Vy0jjS
— Alabama7AFootball (@AL7AFootball) September 20, 2025