'My dream hire': Matt Ponatoski is all-in for Will Stein at Kentucky

The biggest recruiting win the 2026 high school cycle for the Kentucky football program also plays the sport’s most important position. There are high expectations for Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller quarterback Matt Ponatoski. There’s also some lingering doubt about what long-term decision the blue-chip prospect will make when MLB Draft time rolls around. The two-way superstar could play football and baseball in college or could just start a minor league jersey. We are months from that final decision made but Ponatoski does not sound like someone who isn’t all-in with Kentucky.

The Kentucky signee is fired up to be a part of Will Stein‘s program.

“It’s amazing. Like it was my dream hire. I was gonna hold off until February to sign. When I saw it was Coach Stein, there was no reason to wait. How he recruited me at Oregon, and we kind of talked into existence so he’s like if this job ever comes up this is the one that I want,” Matt Ponatoski told the Cincinnati Enquirer. “So I know what he’s gonna bring and how much love he has for the University of Kentucky. I can’t wait to get on campus and just be around him every day.”

Will Stein recruited Matt Ponatoski last spring/summer while he was at Oregon as the Ducks caught themselves looking for a quarterback late in the process. Stein ultimately landed a pledge from former Boise State commit and top-200 recruit Bryson Beaver, but Oregon ended up being Kentucky’s top competition for Ponatoski. The new UK signee formed a very strong relationship with Kentucky’s new head coach and is looking forward to working with him once he arrives on campus.

Ponatoski believes things will be difference at UK with Stein leading the way.

“I think he brings a different energy. He’s a really explosive, really high — he’s an energetic guy that knows what he’s doing. I can’t thank Coach Stoops and his staff for what they’ve done, but I’m just as excited, maybe more excited, for Coach Stein, and just the relationship that I already built with him.”

Kentucky’s highest-ranked signee is ready for the Will Stein era.

Luckett’s Scouting Notebook

This was my scouting write-up on Matt Ponatoski after watching his junior and senior tape.

The Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller quarterback threw for 4,217 yards with 58 total touchdowns and only three interceptions in 16 games as a junior when he won Mr. Football. Ponatoski backed that up with 2,395 passing yards and 29 total touchdowns with just one interception in 12 games as a senior. The MLB Draft prospect at shortstop became one of the best high school quarterbacks in the country during his his time as a three-year starter at a powerhouse program.

Ponatoski is a clean cut evaluation as an accurate passer who plays with great pace, timing, and feel. Projects to be a high-quality power conference starting quarterback quickly during his collegiate career. The quarterback might just be scratching at the surface of what he could become due to lack of offseason reps due to his baseball career. Accuracy jumps off the screen no matter the throw or platform. The raw natural passing ability is special, the decision-making post-snap is impressive, owns positional athleticism to extend plays, and the processing potential is sky high.

NFL Draft pick potential at the sport’s most important position. Could become the face of a program due to his high-level passing skill set.