Aledo High School quarterback Nash McElree has transferred to Mission Viejo High School in California, seeking a starting role with the nationally recognized program, according to announcements made Thursday, and Friday.
McElree, a rising junior in the Class of 2027, saw action in 14 of Aledo’s 15 games during the 2025 season, contributing to the Bearcats’ 14-1 record and deep playoff run. He completed 63.4 percent of his passes for 848 yards and 10 touchdowns, even as also rushing for 203 yards and two scores. Over his high school career, McElree has thrown for 1,331 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The move comes as Mission Viejo looks to fill the void left by the departure of Luke Fahey, who recently signed with Ohio State. Fahey led the Diablos to a 9-2 season in 2025, completing 207-of-292 passes for 3,199 yards with 25 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
At Aledo, McElree competed with senior Lincoln Tubbs for the starting quarterback position, ultimately sharing snaps before Tubbs took the primary role. The transfer represents an opportunity for McElree to become a full-time starter, a key consideration as he enters a crucial year for college recruitment.
Aledo is preparing for a transition into Class 6A competition, and McElree’s departure leaves a question mark at the quarterback position. Senior Christian Sandoval and younger players like Sawyer Smith are potential candidates to replace him, but the Bearcats will be relying on a relatively inexperienced player to lead the offense in their first season at the higher classification.
Mission Viejo, consistently a top program in California, provides a high-profile stage for McElree to showcase his abilities. The Diablos have a history of developing successful quarterbacks, and McElree’s accuracy and dual-threat capability align with the program’s offensive style.
McElree briefly attended San Juan Hills High School before transferring to Mission Viejo, according to reports.
