Kentucky in Final Four for Top-10 QB Matt Ponatoski, Who Draws Familiar Comparisons
LEXINGTON, Ky. — June 5, 2025
In a recruitment cycle brimming with five-star arms and highlight-laden tape, one quarterback continues to command national attention—not just for his stats, but for the way he moves, throws, and leads. That quarterback is Matt Ponatoski, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound signal-caller out of Klein Cain High School in Texas, and the University of Kentucky has made the final four in his recruitment.
Ponatoski, ranked No. 7 nationally among quarterbacks by 247Sports and No. 42 overall in the ESPN 300, announced Wednesday afternoon that his recruitment is officially down to four schools: Alabama, Oregon, Penn State, and Kentucky. The Wildcats, under third-year head coach Liam Coen, are the clear dark horse among blue-blood programs, but they have a weapon that’s caught Ponatoski’s attention—vision.
> “Kentucky’s not just selling me on tradition,” Ponatoski said in a Zoom interview with Rivals. “They’re showing me what I can build with them. Coen talks about molding an offense around my skill set, not fitting me into someone else’s scheme.”
Ponatoski threw for 3,841 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior, adding another 721 yards and 9 scores on the ground. His tape is filled with off-platform throws, pocket manipulation, and a poise that seems preternatural for a 17-year-old. It’s why one Power Five scout—speaking anonymously due to recruiting rules—offered a striking comparison.
> “He reminds me of Joe Burrow in high school,” the scout said. “Not just because of the arm talent, which is real, but the feel. He makes his offensive line look better than it is, knows where his checkdowns are, and competes like every drive is his last.”
Kentucky’s recruitment of Ponatoski has been relentless. Coen personally visited Texas twice this spring, and offensive coordinator Max Smith has developed a close relationship with Matt’s quarterback coach and family. The Wildcats have emphasized the success of Will Levis, who parlayed his time in Coen’s system into a first-round NFL selection, and the rapid development of younger QBs in the program.
Insiders believe Kentucky has leveraged NIL conversations intelligently, too. With the backing of a growing Lexington-based collective, the school pitched Ponatoski on a sustainable, team-friendly model that includes personalized branding initiatives and academic sponsorships, something the Ponatoski family—particularly his mother, a former educator—appreciated.
Still, standing between Kentucky and a signature are three juggernauts with national championship pedigree. Alabama’s offer is steeped in tradition and NFL pipeline prestige. Oregon boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a quarterback-friendly offense that would accentuate Ponatoski’s dual-threat ability. Penn State has the Big Ten stage and deep Pennsylvania ties through his father’s side.
But Ponatoski isn’t tipping his hand just yet.
> “I want to take my official visits this summer and decide before my senior season starts,” he said. “But Kentucky’s definitely opened my eyes. They’re not just in this race—they’re running strong.”
Whether Kentucky lands Ponatoski or not, their presence in his final four is a testament to how far the program has come. And if they do pull off the coup?
They won’t just be landing a quarterback. They’ll be landing a builder.
Reporting by J.D. Taylor. Fictional but based on current NCAA recruiting trends and personalities.
