When it comes to Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting class, there’s one name that jumps off the page-and not just because he can sling it on the football field. Quarterback Matt Ponatoski, a 4-star talent out of Cincinnati’s Moeller High School, is bringing more than just arm talent to Lexington.
He’s bringing options. Big ones.
Ponatoski originally committed under former head coach Mark Stoops, but when the coaching baton passed to Will Stein, the new staff didn’t miss a beat. In fact, Stein helped lock Ponatoski in early, getting him to sign in December instead of holding out until spring as initially planned. That kind of shift doesn’t happen unless there’s mutual buy-in-and clearly, both sides are all in.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: Ponatoski isn’t just a football guy. He’s a legit two-sport athlete, the kind of rare talent who turns heads on the gridiron and the diamond.
Baseball America already ranks him among the top 50 MLB Draft prospects for 2026. That’s not a courtesy mention-that’s serious pro potential.
And yet, Will Stein isn’t sweating it.
“Everything that he’s said to me is that he wants to be a big-time college football player,” Stein said during his introductory press conference. “Is it concerning?
No. I’m just really grateful to be able to have the chance to coach Matt, and I think his best years are yet to come in football.”
That’s a confident statement, and it speaks volumes about the relationship between coach and quarterback. Stein also made it clear he’s not about to stand in the way of Ponatoski’s baseball dreams. In fact, he’s embracing them.
“He’s obviously an outstanding baseball player. I would love to get him on the diamond here at Kentucky, too, and let’s do this thing together.”
That kind of flexibility could be a game-changer-not just for Ponatoski, but for both of Kentucky’s major programs. In an era when elite athletes are often forced to choose one path, Stein is taking a different approach: let the kid thrive in both.
And make no mistake, Ponatoski can thrive. ESPN has him ranked as high as No. 147 nationally and seventh among quarterbacks in the 2026 class. That’s not just hype-that’s a signal that Kentucky may have landed one of the most dynamic athletes in the country.
So what does this mean for the Wildcats? It means they’ve got a quarterback coming in who not only has the tools to lead on Saturdays, but also the talent to make an impact come springtime.
It means Stein is already winning key recruiting battles and building a culture where elite athletes feel empowered to be themselves. And it means fans in Lexington might want to start brushing up on their baseball knowledge-because Ponatoski could be starring at Kroger Field and Kentucky Proud Park.
Bottom line: Kentucky didn’t just land a quarterback. They landed a competitor, a leader, and maybe even a two-sport star. And that’s the kind of win that can shape a program’s future.