Clemson offered star QB Trent Seaborn, 6-1, 200 pounds, from Alabaster, AL—same school that produced Tigers DL Peter Woods.

Clemson has made a major move in its 2027 recruiting class, extending an offer to one of the most talked-about young quarterbacks in the country: Trent Seaborn, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound signal-caller from Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama. The offer makes Seaborn the second quarterback Clemson has offered in the 2027 class, and his connection to the Tigers runs deeper than just talent — he plays at the same powerhouse high school that produced current Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods.

As recruiting momentum builds around the 2027 cycle, this offer sends a strong message: Clemson is ready to reassert itself in the South with elite-level quarterback talent. And Seaborn fits that bill perfectly.

A Rare Talent With Early Stardom

Trent Seaborn is not just another highly rated quarterback — he’s been a national name since middle school. In 2022, as just an eighth-grader, Seaborn was thrust into the varsity spotlight at Thompson High School. Not only did he rise to the occasion, but he also led one of Alabama’s most dominant programs to a Class 7A state championship.

For context, Thompson competes at the highest level of high school football in Alabama, regularly producing Power Five talent. To start at quarterback — and win a title — as a 14-year-old is almost unheard of.

Seaborn didn’t slow down in 2023, either. As a freshman, he posted elite stats: completing over 72% of his passes, throwing for more than 2,600 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just six interceptions. His poise, mechanics, and ability to read defenses have already drawn comparisons to top college quarterbacks.

By every metric, Seaborn isn’t just advanced for his age — he’s elite, period.

Clemson’s Long Game: Building Relationships Early

Clemson’s recruiting strategy under head coach Dabo Swinney is rooted in relationships and evaluation over time. Unlike some programs that offer dozens of quarterbacks in each cycle, Clemson is known for being selective — often offering only a few QBs per class.

That makes Seaborn’s offer especially meaningful.

Clemson began building a relationship with Seaborn more than a year before offering. He visited the campus unofficially in January 2024, attending a team banquet and meeting with staff members, including offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and quarterbacks coach Tajh Boyd. By all accounts, the visit left a lasting impression.

“They made me and my family feel really welcomed,” Seaborn said at the time. “I could tell it was different at Clemson.”

The Tigers continued to monitor his development closely. Seaborn returned to campus again in March 2025 to attend spring practice, where he spent time sitting in on quarterback meetings and working with coaches. Those visits built the foundation for what is now a full scholarship offer.

A Thompson-Clemson Connection: Peter Woods’ Influence

One of the interesting angles in Seaborn’s recruitment is the connection between Thompson High School and Clemson. Current Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods was a five-star recruit out of Thompson in the 2023 class. Woods is already considered one of the Tigers’ most promising young defenders.

Woods and Seaborn overlapped briefly in high school — Woods was a senior when Seaborn was in eighth grade. That connection has grown stronger as Seaborn has watched Woods thrive in Clemson’s system.

“Peter has nothing but great things to say about Clemson,” Seaborn shared in an interview earlier this year. “He’s someone I really respect, and seeing how much he’s grown there means a lot.”

Having someone he trusts already inside the Clemson program gives Seaborn valuable insight into what life in orange and white could really look like — not just on the field, but off it as well.

The Intangibles: Character, Leadership, and NIL Integrity

In today’s college football landscape, talent is just one part of the equation. Programs are also looking for high-character athletes who can lead locker rooms and handle the pressure of big-time football. In that regard, Seaborn stands out even more.

Earlier in his high school career, Seaborn reportedly turned down a seven-figure NIL deal from a trading card company that would have required him to transfer out of Alabama. Instead, he chose to stay at Thompson and continue growing within a stable environment.

“I want to be somewhere I can develop and be part of a team,” Seaborn said. “It’s not about the money for me. It’s about doing it the right way.”

That kind of maturity and focus is part of why Clemson — a school that emphasizes culture and character as much as performance — sees him as a potential fit.

“He’s not just a football player. He’s a leader,” one high school coach said. “He studies the game, he takes coaching seriously, and he puts in the work. That’s rare.”

Style of Play: Precision, Poise, and Playmaking

On the field, Seaborn is a polished quarterback with a high football IQ. He’s known for his:

• Quick decision-making

• Smooth throwing mechanics

• Excellent accuracy

• Calm demeanor under pressure

At 6-1 and now up to around 200 pounds, he’s also added strength to his frame without losing agility. He has the mobility to extend plays, though he prefers to win from the pocket. Coaches have praised his ability to throw receivers open and process defenses quickly.

In terms of scheme fit, Seaborn’s skill set aligns well with Clemson’s offensive philosophy. Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley — known for working with quarterbacks like Max Duggan and Jalen Milroe — runs a spread-based system that relies on timing, accuracy, and smart reads. It’s a system Seaborn is already familiar with at Thompson.

“He can make every throw in the book,” one national scout said. “He’s ahead of the curve mentally, which is what you want in a QB that young.”

The Recruiting Landscape: Seaborn’s Other Suitors

Clemson isn’t the only program chasing Seaborn. The 2027 class is still developing, but Seaborn already holds offers from many of the nation’s top programs, including:

• Alabama

• Auburn

• Georgia

• Florida State

• Oregon

• LSU

• Texas A&M

• Wisconsin

• Miami

With an elite offer list and three years of high school football still ahead, his recruitment will likely remain competitive until a final decision is made — which might not come for a while.

That said, sources close to Seaborn believe Clemson will be in the mix until the very end. The early relationship, the cultural fit, and the Thompson connection all give the Tigers a unique edge.

What This Offer Means for Clemson

By offering Trent Seaborn, Clemson is staking its claim on one of the most promising quarterbacks in the 2027 cycle. It also signals a willingness to be bold in Alabama — traditionally hostile recruiting territory due to the presence of both Alabama and Auburn.

This is also Clemson’s second QB offer for the 2027 class, further narrowing their focus on high-character, high-upside prospects. The Tigers are not in the business of casting a wide net. They build strong relationships, host recruits for deep visits, and offer only when they see a real fit.

Seaborn could very well become the centerpiece of Clemson’s 2027 class — or at the very least, a barometer for how much ground the Tigers can gain in SEC territory moving forward.

At just 16 years old, Trent Seaborn already has the resume, maturity, and attention of a quarterback far beyond his age. Clemson’s offer isn’t just a bet on potential — it’s a signal that the Tigers see Seaborn as someone who could lead their program into the next generation.

With nearly three more seasons of high school football to play, Seaborn will only continue to develop, both physically and mentally. But one thing is already clear: wherever he ends up, he has the tools to be special.

Clemson has officially entered the race. Now, the question is — can they finish it?