Moeller star quarterback and two-way baseball standout Matt Ponatoski was at the Elite 11 quarterback competition this week, and his performance turned plenty of heads in person and on social media.
Elite 11 is a high school quarterback competition event which takes place every year. Hundreds of athletes competed in regional competitions this spring, and they were whittled down to 20 quarterbacks, including Ponatoski, who participated in the Elite 11 finals this week.
The list of quarterbacks who have competed in previous Elite 11 competitions includes Jalen Hurts, Aaron Rodgers, Caleb Williams, C.J. Stroud, Jared Goff and many more.
Of the 20 quarterbacks who participated in the competition this week, Ponatoski, who will be a senior this season, was one of just four who has not committed to a college.
The final day of the competition was Thursday, June 19, and Texas commit Dia Bell was named the Elite 11 MVP. Here is how the week went for Ponatoski:
Ponatoski earns Elite 11 Pro Day champion
On Wednesday, the 20 Elite 11 quarterbacks went through an accuracy challenge and a pro day drill, which has them make 20 throws to wide receivers running various routes on the field.
Ponatoski completed 17 of his 20 passes during the Elite 11 pro day, earning him pro day champion honors.
That performance helped Ponatoski to be ranked No. 4 among Elite 11 performers after day two of the competition, one spot ahead of Tennessee commit Faizon Brandon, who is ranked the No. 1 player in the class of 2026 by 247Sports.
Ponatoski finished the first day of the Elite 11 finals ranked the No. 8 performer by Elite 11.
247Sports scouting director praises Ponatoski’s performance
247Sports scouting director Andrew Ivins said he thought Ponatoski struggled on day one of the Elite 11 competition but “turned it on” for day two.
“(He) knew what to do with the throws, hit all of them, and he was excellent,” Ivins said. “Easy to see why these schools are after him.”
According to Ivins, Ponatoski, listed at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, is planning to play both baseball and football in college.
Other media members praise Ponatoski for Elite 11 performance
While Ivins thought Ponatoski struggled on day one of competition, On3Sports Vice President Steve Wiltfong disagreed, naming Ponatoski as one of three quarterbacks that he thought put out “terrific” performances on Tuesday.
Bruce Feldman, a college football reporter for The Athletic, praised Ponatoski as well.
Ponatoski performs well during 7-on-7 competition
According to On3Sports, Ponatoski completed 15-of-22 passes including three touchdowns to one sack during the 7-on-7 portion of the Elite 11 competition.
More reactions and videos from Ponatoski at Elite 11
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Moeller standout Matt Ponatoski dazzles, wins pro day, at Elite 11 quarterback competition
Reporting by Jack Schmelzinger, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
