As a quarterback at any level, one's ability to evaluate others around them with their play and style of leadership means you have the complete package in the minds of many. Especially if you can do it in a charismatic way and still get the job done. In my opinion, this description perfectly describes Alabama football’s promising 2027 commit and current 4-star QB, Trent Seaborn.
The 6-foot-1, 194-pound recruit not only looks the part, having thrown 35 touchdowns and passed for 3,689 yards for an impressive 72% completion rate, along with five rushing scores on the ground as a junior in 2025, but the kid has the mental fortitude upstairs that sets him apart from most young passers his age. I say this after watching him rise to the occasion on multiple Friday nights en route to leading Thompson High School to the Alabama 7A state title this past fall. In this Championship run, many marveled at the way he was able to uplift his teammates and just how well spoken he is.
These humble traits don't show up on the stat sheet. But still, they should sit well with Crimson Tide fans, especially seeing him win the Alabama high school Fans Player of the Year Award earlier this January, and then hearing him speak elegantly about the faith-driven leadership style he aims to bring to Tuscaloosa in his recent interview with The Wayoffsides podcast.
“I'm very deep in my faith,” Seaborn said. “It’s something that I take with big pride. And in the Bible, Jesus teaches, he teaches to be a servant leader. That's kind of the way I do things. I'm not the type of person to yell at someone or curse someone out for doing something wrong. I'm more of a person to lead by serving my teammates. You know, I'm going to do the best that I can to make sure my teammates are in the best position possible. And that's something that I've learned over the years, now I'm going into my 5th year at Thompson High School. And I've been able to watch the guys before me, who were older than me, I’ve been able to watch them lead in their own certain ways or however they lead. And I try to take after them, while also keeping the same mindset that I'm still serving my coaches. These are the people who come first and these are the people who have gotten me to where I am right now. And so, I always try to remember that. These guys are the reason I'm here.”
Trent Seaborn has leadership traits that you just can't teach
This level of self-awareness and humility shows me that the 17-year-old star QB is truly wise beyond his years. Most Tide fans, I would imagine, can definitely appreciate hearing this element to the young man's character, especially after seeing a similar attitude do wonders for past successful Alabama signal callers like Ty Simpson, Jalen Milroe, Bryce Young, Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, etc.
All six previous QBs showed these charismatic traits every time they stepped in front of reporters during their careers in Tuscaloosa, as it was touted and highlighted by many at the NFL level during their player evaluations. With that being said, it is even more refreshing to see Seaborn already seem to have this factor embedded in his mannerisms before he even steps foot on campus officially as a member of the Crimson Tide program.
It also stands out to me because this shows that Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, like his legendary predecessor Nick Saban, isn't just looking for talent in his recruits. Instead, DeBoer is also seeking out young men of value who can take their leadership styles beyond the lines of the turf of Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Yes, like many young players and adolescents in general, Seaborn still has some areas of growth he can improve in. But with Alabama’s current quarterback room that features others with this same mindset, like Keelon Russell, Austin Mack, and incoming 2026 signees Jett Thomalla and Tayden Kaawa, the in-state product should fit right in with what most Tide fans have been accustomed to in years past.
Seaborn now has the opportunity to display these attributes again today to DeBoer and company, alongside 2027 5-star QB Elijah Haven, as the Thompson High prospect officially makes his way down from Alabaster to Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s 2026 junior day. It'll be interesting to see what raving reviews most give when seeing Seaborn live in the flesh this weekend.