MattPonatoski

Last name is pronounced “pawn-ah-TOSS-kee” … A four-star commit who is ranked the No. 21 quarterback in the 2026 class … A two-sport star who is a also expected to play baseball at UK … Named a 2025 Ohio Mr. Football Finalist … Earned Ohio Mr. Football honors as a junior in 2024 after throwing for 4,217 yards (a school record), 57 touchdowns (a school record) with just three interceptions … Named the Gatorade Player of the Year in Ohio in both football and baseball as junior … Became just the third player in the award’s history to win it in two different sports in the same school year, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer Randy Moss and National Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Mauer … Is the Crusaders’ all-time leader in career passing yards and career touchdown passes … Coached by Bert Bathiany … Led his team to the OHSAA Division I state championship in 2024 with a 14-2 record …  Won the pro day competition and was named to the 12-man Elite 11 finalist list in 2024 … Hit .462 in 27 baseball games as a junior … Named the GCLS Player of the Year … Chose UK over Alabama, Arkansas and Oregon.