The offer from Ohio State “was my motivation for this season”

After developing into one of the top talents in Texas for a true Texas high school football stronghold, Raycine Guillory has clear goals in mind – even if he is still a long way from deciding on a college.

The star running back from Aledo High School, who committed to Texas in January and decommitted in June, is getting the time afforded to those who showcase what he accomplished as a freshman.

Guillory’s recruitment is wide open. He has received more than 30 offers, most recently from Ohio State and Michigan in early August. Now, as the nation’s No. 13 running back and No. 97 overall prospect for 2026 (On3), he is feeling out what priority he is for the schools he talks to.

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“If I’m not No. 1 on your list, I’m probably not going to invest time in my top 10 for something like that,” Guillory said. “I go where I’m wanted.”

After a standout freshman season at Mansfield Lake Ridge (769 yards, 6.15 yards per carry, 9 TDs), Guillory transferred to Aledo and led the Texas powerhouse in rushing as it won its second consecutive UIL state championship – its 11th in 15 years.

Guillory ran for 1,236 rushing yards and 17 TDs, the most on his team, despite missing the 5A Division I semifinals and championship game due to injury. He credits the coaches for encouraging him to “let me go out there and be myself.”

“I was 14 (years old) and I was scoring touchdowns against 18-year-olds,” whose best rating (On3) is. “I believe in myself and the work I put in… playing against people older than me will only motivate me more.”

Now a senior with bigger goals, Guillory is determined to take that score — and his game — to the next level as Aledo tries to capture its third consecutive UIL state championship.

A note on his phone lists his personal goals: 2,000 rushing yards, 30 TDs, state MVP, 40 offers, and a five-star rating by the end of the season.

SBLive caught up with Guillory, the 43rd most influential player in Texas entering 2024, as he and Aledo, the state’s No. 7-ranked team, prepare to open the 2024 Texas high school football season at home against Denton Guyer on Friday.

SBLIVE: You withdrew your commitment to Texas on June 20. What do you think about this decision and are these two things related?

GUILLORY: “Decommitting was the best thing I could have done for myself and my family because I missed out on a lot of opportunities by committing to Texas. I know I have a lot of time and I can build relationships with a lot of coaches. I don’t know what the future holds. Texas’ running backs coach could leave. Something could happen and I’ll be out of luck because I haven’t built relationships with other coaches and other coaches haven’t built relationships with me because I’ve already committed because they feel like they don’t even have a chance. I’m already at Texas, I’m committed to Texas, I don’t think anyone is going to try a kid like that.

I still have a relationship with Texas, there’s no bad blood between us. I just knew it would open up more opportunities for me. And that’s exactly what happened.”

SBLIVE: Are you and (Texas running backs coach Tashard) Choice still in touch?

GUILLORY: “Yeah, Coach Choice and I still talk and we’re still one. He totally understood and respected it. He still calls and checks on me, so it’s cool.”

SBLIVE: Your contact window for coaches opened on June 15th – five days before you withdrew your commitment. How did your recruitment change after that?

GUILLORY: “Oh, it’s changed. I’ve talked to a lot of coaches. And some coaches I haven’t heard from. Some coaches already have their best defenders and I’m assuming that. I’m trying to figure out where I’m on those coaches’ lists. And if I’m not No. 1 on your list, I’m probably not going to put you in my top 10 for something like that. I’m going to go where I’m wanted.”

SBLIVE: Who do you talk to the most at the moment?

GUILLORY: “Ohio State, Michigan, Arkansas, Texas, Auburn and Ole Miss. Those are basically the people I’ve been hearing from lately. And there are a few more that text me.”

SBLIVE: What are you looking for in a program?

GUILLORY: “I’m looking for someone who’s going to take care of me and the family, let’s be honest, and take me to the next level, make me a man, because that’s where I’m going to be for the next four years. Somewhere where I can grow… and the football is good — I get a chance to play as a freshman to get on the field early and show my talent, and not just sit behind some guy.”

SBLIVE: Ohio State offered you an offer in early August. What did that offer mean to you?

GUILLORY: “Man, that offer was crazy. I waited so long for it, and then when it happened, I was so reserved, like I was coming back from an injury, and I wasn’t motivated. When I talked to Coach Locklyn, he told me … that was my motivation for this season. I have to realize that I’m a good player, I’m still that guy. When I got that (offer), I thought, OK, now it’s time to work. Now Ohio State is coming my way. Ohio State is one of the best running back schools in the country and one of the best programs.

I knew Coach Locklyn from Oregon, he offered me a spot at Oregon. He then went to Ohio State, but I waited for his offer, but it took a minute. When he offered me, we picked up where we left off.”

SBLIVE: Then Michigan makes an offer soon after.

GUILLORY: “Michigan came three days later. Coach Tony over there at Michigan, that’s my dog. You know what I mean? All the coaches are cool, but (Michigan running back coach Tony Alford) is totally cool. He’s the best running back coach, that’s on paper. We talk on the phone all the time, he checks on me, I check on him. It’s love there.”

SBLIVE: I can’t imagine it’s a bad feeling to get an offer from the reigning national champions.

GUILLORY: “Man, this is the offer I needed. This is what I’ve been waiting for. I’m waiting for two more and then I’m ready to make a move.”

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