2027 4-Star QB Trent Seaborn Turns Down seven-Figure NIL Deal, Focused on One Team

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jeremy Lockett | Last updated May 12, 2025 1:32 PM ET

The national spotlight has already found Trent Seaborn—and he’s just now wrapping up his sophomore year of high school.

The 2027 four-star quarterback from Thompson High School (Alabaster, Alabama) has emerged as one of the most buzzed-about recruits in the country. He’s been fielding attention from powerhouse programs coast to coast, and while offers from the Class of 2027 are just beginning to trickle out, Seaborn is a clear frontrunner to receive one of Clemson’s first official quarterback invites when that window opens in June.

He’ll be back in Tiger Town June 7-8 to work out at Dabo Swinney’s high school camp, his second trip to campus since March. Clemson hasn’t yet extended an offer, but the mutual interest is clear—and growing.

Already a two-time state champion, Seaborn’s career has unfolded like a scripted drama. He started on varsity as an eighth grader and immediately delivered Thompson a state title. As a freshman, he completed 72% of his passes for 2,601 yards and 27 touchdowns, earning MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year honors. Then he bounced back from a runner-up finish to capture his second ring last season.

But Seaborn’s story stretches beyond the field. Last year, he turned down a reported seven-figure NIL deal from Leaf Trading Cards that would’ve required him to transfer out of Alabama—a state where high school NIL deals remain off-limits. The decision to stay at Thompson was a headline-making moment, and it sent a clear message: Seaborn’s long game matters more than any short-term paycheck.

Now, with nearly 30 college programs already showing interest and more offers expected in the coming months, Seaborn is on track to become one of the defining names of the 2027 recruiting cycle.

Excited to be back in Clemson tomorrow! @CoachGRiley @TajhB10 @SorrellsJordan @Clements_TJC @35Pwoo @j7alexander_ @JP_Priester @ClemsonInsider @TIinClemson @RecruitWarriors @samspiegs @ChadSimmons_ @SWiltfong_ @adamgorney @ClemsonSports @ClemsonTigerNet pic.twitter.com/j8CHzdc1gT
— Trent Seaborn 2027 QB (@TrentSeaborn) March 6, 2025

His return to Clemson—where he once shared a roster with former Warrior and current Tiger Peter Woods—only adds intrigue. With the Tigers seeking a long-term answer at quarterback in the post Klubnik era, eyes will be on how Seaborn performs under the watch of Swinney and offensive coordinator Garrett Riley in June.

And whether Clemson makes a move—or someone else does—it’s clear Trent Seaborn’s recruitment is about to go full throttle.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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