Aledo quarterback Nash McElree (8) throws the ball in the first half of a high school football game between the Aledo Bearcats and the Denton Ryan Raiders at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex in Denton on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025.
Christopher Torres
ctorres@star-telegram.com
Aledo class of 2027 quarterback Nash McElree announced on social media Thursday that he is transferring to California powerhouse Mission Viejo.
The Bearcats have now endured multiple transfers from potential contributors in consecutive seasons. Ahead of the 2025 season, former Aledo starting quarterback Gavin Beard transferred to Fort Worth All Saints; he led the Saints to back-to-back TAPPS Division II state championships.
McElree will join a Viejo squad that went 9-2 in 2025 and finished the season ranked No. 7 on Sports Illustrated’s California High School Football Power 25 rankings.
Quarterback Nash McElree completes a pass during Aledo High School’s morning practice at Tim Buchanan Stadium in Aledo, Texas, in an Aug. 18, 2025 photo. Bob Booth Special to the Star-Telegram
With his departure, a big question looms for Aledo as the Bearcats enter their first season in Class 6A: Who will be the next starting Bearcat quarterback?
Similar to last year, head coach Robby Jones could have a quarterback battle leading into the season, as 12-time state champion Aledo always has several talented QBs on its roster.
One name to watch is class of 2028 quarterback Elijah Pinnick, who spent last season with Crowley, attempting two passes in limited time. He recently announced he is attending Aledo High School.
”Just the beginning. Spring coming soon!!” Pinnick wrote on X while tagging Jones, Aledo football and Aledo’s recruiting page.
A top target for the Bearcats could be three-star wide receiver Kingston Parks, a class of 2027 Utah pledge who attended Arlington Oakridge during last season. In January, he announced a transfer to Aledo for his senior season.
During the first half of the 2025 season, McElree was in the running for the starting spot at Aledo, sharing snaps with senior Lincoln Tubbs.
Aledo quarterback Nash McElree throws the ball against Denton Guyer in a 2025 game at Tim Buchanan Stadium in Aledo, Texas. Tom Marvin Special to the Star-Telegram
Tubbs beat him out for the role, leading Aledo to the state semifinals while tallying 2,999 total yards on the year en route to Star-Telegram All-Area second team honors.
McElree certainly proved he is capable of playing at a high level in limited time as a sophomore and junior, passing for 1,331 yards and tossing 16 touchdowns. He’ll look to fill a void for the departing Luke Fahey, a three-star recruit who threw for 7,021 career yards and signed with Ohio State.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 4:58 PM.
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Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Charles Baggarly is a high school sports editor and reporter for the Fort Worth Star Telegram. He graduated from TCU in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and served as TCU 360’s sports editor. Connect with Charles on Twitter or via email.