While most of Kentucky’s 2026 signees have arrived on campus for summer workouts, four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski remains focused on finishing his high school baseball career with Moeller High School.
Ponatoski and Moeller will face Perrysburg on Thursday in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I State Semifinals with a spot in the state championship game on the line.
The Kentucky signee committed to play both football and baseball in July 2025 and signed with the Wildcats after
Will Stein was hired as head coach. However, recent comments suggest professional baseball remains his preferred option.
“I think people who don’t talk to me face to face might get an idea that I want to go play college football,” four-star quarterback signee Matt Ponatoski said in an appearance on Overslotbaseball.com podcast that published over the weekend. “I do, but that’s option 1B.
“Option 1A is to go be a (MLB) draft pick and go get drafted and go be in an organization at 18 rather than go to college and be in an organization at 21, which is not a bad option either. I want to be drafted. That’s 1A for sure.”
Ponatoski enters a crowded quarterback room if he arrives in Lexington. Kenny Minchey is expected to start and has two years of eligibility remaining, while Brennen Ward and JacQai Long are competing for backup reps. Kentucky also holds a commitment from 2027 four-star quarterback Jake Nawrot.
The MLB Draft is set for July 11, making Ponatoski’s decision one of the biggest storylines surrounding Kentucky’s 2026 recruiting class.
“I came on late with the recruiting with football,” Ponatoski said. “Now, I think it (was portrayed) that I want to be a football player.
“Yes, that’s a great option if I don’t go to the draft, but I want to be a professional baseball player as fast as possible. That’s where my heart’s been, and it’s always been.”
