The Alabama Crimson Tide are in good hands with 2025 four-star quarterback Keelon Russell on the roster and in line to compete for reps as soon as this fall. However, head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb can't bank on Russell being a superstar without seeing him play first. 

Alabama is looking to stack multiple high-end quarterback recruits in back-to-back classes. They're chasing after two four-stars in the 2026 class in Jett Thomalla and Matt Ponatoski.

Ponatoski was on campus this past weekend, and was eager to reveal what he discussed with DeBoer and Grubb. The two sport star plans on playing baseball and football at his next school, and Oregon is lurking on his wishlist.

“When I got there I felt the conversation came easy,” he said of his time spent with DeBoer. “We ended up talking about baseball for awhile and talked about football and life and had breakfast at his house and I talked to his wife.

“Coach Grubb we sat in his office and talked 45 minutes to an hour about things I can work on and things I’m good at and going over some stuff I can improve on. You love to hear it. Get good feedback and an honest assessment."

It was especially interesting to hear that Grubb would offer direct feedback that could be taken as critical and not the typical puff conversations. Did Ponatoski actually enjoy that? We'll find out as his recruitment continues.

“Coach Sheridan from day one has been awesome. That guy is hilarious and the conversation comes super easy. It was everything I can ask for at Alabama.”

A projected top two-round selection in the MLB Draft, Ponatoski has the ability to spur all of these programs and opt for a big signing bonus from a baseball team. MLB teams will know they have to likely overspend on his salary slot to entice him away from college, but there's an NIL angle that could be addressed in private, as well. 

Alabama is hoping they can entice Ponatoski to forgo being drafted as a high schooler to play two sports in college. Oregon, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Kentucky are also in the chase.

The Ohio Gatorade Player of the year posted crazy numbers in 2024, reaching 4,000 passing yards and 56 scores to only three interceptions. However, the Buckeyes aren't heavily recruiting him. Still, Ponatoski has tried to drum up the interest in him.

“I have recently been in contact with Wake Forest, Oklahoma, and Alabama and will have to see how those relationships start to build and see if I want to get to those places,” Ponatoski said. “But with a busy summer don’t really have any set plans. Might get back to some of the places I’ve already been too for unofficials as well.”

Ranked as the nation's 16th-best MLB prospect, Ponatoski is the state's top overall option for the 2026 draft. He's a shortstop and pitcher.

"What makes him great on the football field translates in ways on the baseball field you just don't see in a lot of high school players," said Kyle Weldon, Prep Baseball's Ohio Scouting Director.

"He's got a quick processor, his in-game decision-making is elite. Matt has tools that make him one of the best in the country, most notably the arm strength and the hit tool. And he wins. I think profile does a lot for his stock and has generated a lot of interest in him."