Guillory announces early graduation

Even if the Aledo Bearcats do as many expect and win another state championship, Raycine Guillory’s days as the team’s star running back appear to be numbered.

Guillory, a junior, announced via X (formerly Twitter) this past weekend that he plans to reclassify and target a 2025 graduation, a year earlier than originally scheduled.

“After deep conversations with God and my family I have made the decision to reclassify to 2025. Commitment coming soon,” Guillory posted.

Earlier this year Guillory made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Texas, but then rescinded that choice. He is being pursued by college football programs from coast to coast.

“It’s something that high school programs are going to have to deal with,” Aledo head coach Robby Jones said. “It started when Quinn Ewers did it.

“When high schools have talented athletes, colleges are going to offer them money. You can enjoy playing with kids, often those you grew up with, or you can graduate early and start making NIL money.”

While Guillory hasn’t officially said benefiting from the Name/Image/Likeness rule is the reason behind his decision, he would not be the first to take advantage of the rule that went into effect in July of 2021. The rule allows athletes to benefit financially from their name, image or their likeness being used in advertising, resulting in many athletes signing endorsement deals.

Ewers graduated from Southlake Carroll early, announcing it was for NIL reasons. He first played for Ohio State before transferring to and currently playing quarterback for the Texas Longhorns.

He received over $1 million in NIL benefits.

“It’s something that’s going to start happening more and more,” Jones said. “Colleges pay kids who are good players to leave high school early.”

Guillory played for Mansfield Lake Ridge as a freshman. He led the Broncos with 769 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, along with catching 18 passes for 154 yards and three TD.

Last season he transferred to Aledo and helped the Bearcats to a 16-0 record and a second consecutive state championship. Despite being injured (knee) for part of the season, including the state semifinals and finals, he led the Bearcats with 1,207 rushing yards with 17 TD, and also caught 10 passes for 175 yards and four more scores.

Guillory had offseason surgery on his knee and has returned to enjoy his best season yet as the Bearcats carry a 9-1 record into the postseason in quest of the program’s 13th state title. Guillory has 1,055 yards on the ground with 20 TD and has nine receptions for 124 yards and two more scores. He scored a career-high six touchdowns and rushed for a career-best 244 yards in a 49-42 overtime victory against Richland.