In the chaos of a coaching change, the first call a program makes isn't to a candidate, it’s to the quarterback of the future.
For Kentucky, that is Matt Ponatoski.
The 4-star dual-sport star from Cincinnati Moeller is the centerpiece of the 2026 class. Ranked as the No. 13 QB in the nation, he is exactly the kind of elite arm talent that new coaches dream of inheriting.
So, is he staying?
Elite QB says 'Kentucky is where I want to be'
Despite the uncertainty, Ponatoski reaffirmed his commitment to the Wildcats in the immediate aftermath of the news.
"I'm just going to take it day by day, but Kentucky is where I want to be," Ponatoski said. "I’ll be with the Cats!"
That is a massive win for Mitch Barnhart and whoever the new coach will be. It is also pretty good news for Nick Mingione and the baseball Cats. As we mentioned Ponatoski isn't just a football player; he is a baseball prospect with legitimate MLB interest. Kentucky's willingness to let him play both sports gives them a unique leverage that other schools might not match.
Why he matters
247Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins compares him to Devin Leary (the good version):
"Stocky pocket passer with eye-popping production... Can throw with both pace and touch. Flashes rare juice when targeting the first and second levels."
Whoever gets the head coaching job, whether it’s Will Stein or Brian Hartline, will walk into the living room knowing they have a foundational piece already on board. Keeping Ponatoski "locked in" is priority number one.
As other recruits react to the news, we will bring it to you as fast as possible. You are going to want to bookmark our page over the next few days. Buckle up BBN, it is going to be a wild ride. Micah 7:7.