Kentucky gets some good news regarding a quarterback recruit

One of the top 2026 recruits for the Kentucky Wildcats was quarterback Matt Ponatoski. He is also an excellent baseball player, though, and the coaching staff was aware that going to the MLB was a possibility. He did, in fact, get drafted, but this week he decided to go college instead, per Kentucky Sports Radio.

Ponatoski is a 6'1", 195 lb quarterback out of Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was rated four stars and ranked as the No. 218 overall player in the 2026 recruiting class on the 247Sports composite board.

In the recent Major League Baseball draft, Ponatoski was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 18th round as a pitcher. He then had to decide whether to sign with the Reds, or go to college. In the end, Kentucky won out, and he has enrolled in school.

This season, Ponatoski will likely be the backup to Kenny Minchey with an eye on taking the starting job in 2027. He has excellent arm talent and a quick release that enables him to excel as a passer. He has the ability to be a starting quarterback, but he's also a very good baseball player. Where does his future lie? It's hard to say, but for now, he'll play football.

This article originally appeared on UK Wildcats Wire: Kentucky gets some good news regarding a quarterback recruit