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Kentucky QB target Matt Ponatoski shines at Elite 11, shows he’s built for the SEC

Matt Ponatoski is off to a great start to his Senior year. Can the Cats close on a QB prospect in high school, something that hasn't happened often under Mark Stoops. Only time will tell.
ByDrew Holbrook|
Matt Ponatoski sees another touchdown completion coming for Moeller in the OHSAA Division I state football semifinal at Pat Mancuso Field, Nov. 29, 2024.
Matt Ponatoski sees another touchdown completion coming for Moeller in the OHSAA Division I state football semifinal at Pat Mancuso Field, Nov. 29, 2024. | Geoff Blankenship for The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Kentucky football’s quarterback recruiting board has featured some big names over the years. The latest to rise to the top may be one of the most intriguing yet.

Four-star quarterback Matt Ponatoski, who recently named Kentucky among his finalists, turned heads this week with a standout performance at the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback camp

Ponatoski was electric on Night 2 of the camp’s “Pro Day” showcase, completing 17 of 20 throws in a timed, scripted workout that mirrors an NFL-style passing script. Per national recruiting analyst Charles Power, Ponatoski not only hit on the second-best completion rate of the event but was also “the most accurate quarterback” in attendance. Power ranked Ponatoski No. 7 overall among all competitors—many of them future blue-chip starters at Power Five programs.

It was the kind of showing that turns a “nice offer” into a “must-get” for programs like Kentucky, especially in the modern arms race of quarterback recruiting.

More than just a camp

The Elite 11 is not your average summer combine. Held annually since 1999, it’s the premier proving ground for high school quarterbacks. Past alumni include names like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Bryce Young. Only the best of the best are invited—and even fewer separate themselves once they arrive.

What made Ponatoski’s showing even more compelling is how consistent he looked throwing across the field, off-platform, and on the move. His smooth mechanics, ball placement, and touch stood out even among more hyped passers. For a Kentucky program that’s missed on more QB's than most, this is a big step.

A rare talent—and a two-sport star

Ponatoski’s elite football skill set isn’t his only selling point. The Ohio native was named Gatorade Player of the Year in both football and baseball for the state last year—an extremely rare accomplishment that speaks volumes about his all-around athleticism, discipline, and leadership.

He’s already made it known that he intends to play both sports at the next level. That might scare off some programs, but Kentucky has embraced two-sport athletes in the past. If anything, Ponatoski's dual-sport drive could be an advantage in Lexington, where the Wildcats’ baseball program under Nick Mingione has quietly built one of the SEC’s most respected cultures.

The race is on

Kentucky is battling with Alabama, Oregon, and Arkansas for Ponatoski’s signature. This weekend, he’s on an official visit to Oregon, where the Ducks are pushing hard to close. But the Wildcats have done their homework—and it’s believed that Ponatoski has built a strong rapport with OC Bush Hamdan and the Kentucky staff. The Wildcats’ pitch: a chance to compete early, develop under an NFL-caliber system, and be part of the best football conference in America.

Can the Cats win a QB recruiting race?