Alex Leatherwood Bio
Alexander Leatherwood, born January 5, 1999, is an American professional football offensive tackle. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he won two College Football Playoff National Championships and earned the Outland Trophy and Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2020. Selected 17th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 NFL Draft, Leatherwood began his pro career as a first-round pick before moving through several organizations. He currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers after stints with the Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns.
Standing 196 cm tall and listed at 142 kg, Leatherwood has played across the offensive line at both tackle and guard. His combination of size, mobility, and collegiate pedigree has shaped his journey from a five-star high school recruit to a battle-tested NFL veteran seeking a stable role in the league.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Leatherwood was born on January 5, 1999, in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up in the same Gulf Coast city. He attended Booker T. Washington High School, where he developed into one of the most coveted offensive line prospects in the country. As a junior and senior, he was recognized as a first-team All-Area selection by the Pensacola News Journal for his work in the trenches.
During his senior season, Leatherwood earned first-team All-American honors from Parade and second-team recognition from USA Today, and he played in the prestigious All-America Bowl. Rated a consensus five-star recruit and a top-10 national prospect in his class, he committed to the University of Alabama during his junior year of high school, choosing the Crimson Tide over several other top programs.
His path to Alabama was shaped by family ties to the Southeast and the appeal of playing in the Southeastern Conference. That early decision to enroll with the Crimson Tide gave him access to one of the most decorated programs in college football and set the stage for a championship-level career.
Path to Professional Football
Leatherwood enrolled at Alabama a semester early and quickly cracked the rotation as a true freshman. He played in seven games during his first season and saw significant action in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, entering at left tackle after starter Jonah Williams was injured in the third quarter. That early exposure to a title-stage environment foreshadowed the role he would later hold for the Crimson Tide.
Following the championship run, the Alabama coaching staff moved Leatherwood to right tackle during spring practice and then shifted him to right guard during fall training camp, where he won the starting job heading into his sophomore season. He started all 15 games that year, surrendered 21 pressures, and was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the league’s coaches. The willingness to play multiple positions became a defining trait of his career.
As a junior, Leatherwood returned to left tackle and started every game for the Crimson Tide. He earned first-team All-SEC recognition from the league’s coaches and a first-team All-America selection from the American Football Coaches Association. After weighing an early jump to the NFL, he announced he would return for his senior season, a decision that paid off with his most decorated year in Tuscaloosa.
Alex Leatherwood Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Leatherwood’s college career began with a College Football Playoff National Championship as part of the 2017 Alabama squad that won the title following the 2017 season. He spent the next several years rotating between tackle and guard while developing into one of the most reliable linemen in the SEC. His progression from a depth piece to a full-time starter reflected the program-forged discipline the Crimson Tide is known for.
By his senior year, Leatherwood was the unquestioned anchor of the Alabama offensive line. He started all 13 games, helped the Crimson Tide win the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship, and earned first-team All-SEC honors. He also shared the Jacobs Blocking Trophy with Alabama center Landon Dickerson and was a unanimous first-team All-American.
NFL Breakthrough with the Las Vegas Raiders (2021)
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. On May 24, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract with Las Vegas, a fully guaranteed deal worth $14.39 million. The selection reflected the Raiders’ belief that his collegiate resume translated to long-term starting potential at the next level.
As a rookie, Leatherwood moved to offensive guard after early struggles at tackle in an effort to find a better fit. He was waived by Las Vegas on August 30, 2022, ending his Raiders tenure after a single season. Despite the disappointing first year, his draft pedigree and positional versatility kept him on NFL radars heading into the next league year.
Chicago Bears Era (2022)
On August 31, 2022, Leatherwood was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears, giving him a fresh opportunity in the NFC North. He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 14, 2022, and was later activated on October 28, 2022. The brief Bears stint limited his on-field reps but kept him attached to an NFL roster through the season.
Leatherwood was released by the Bears on August 27, 2023, as part of Chicago’s final preseason cuts. His time in Chicago did not produce any extended starting stretches, but it did reinforce his value as a depth piece and swing lineman capable of filling in across the offensive front.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023)
Shortly after his release from Chicago, Leatherwood signed with the Cleveland Browns practice squad on August 30, 2023. He remained on the practice squad throughout the regular season as the Browns pushed toward the postseason. His contract expired when the team’s season ended on January 13, 2024, closing out a developmental year spent primarily off the active roster.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
On May 29, 2024, Leatherwood signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, his fourth NFL organization. He was released on August 27, 2024, before the regular season and quickly re-signed to the Chargers’ practice squad. The split-squad transaction reflected the uncertainty surrounding his path back to a steady role on an active game-day roster.
Leatherwood was released by the Chargers on December 10, 2024, ending his stint in Los Angeles. Although brief, his time with the Chargers demonstrated continued professional opportunity and underlined the importance of his rookie contract structure, which runs through 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most memorable moments of Leatherwood’s career came in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, when he stepped in at left tackle after the Jonah Williams injury and helped Alabama secure a title. His senior-year sweep of the Outland Trophy and Jacobs Blocking Trophy cemented his status as the top interior lineman in college football and justified his first-round draft selection.
Alex Leatherwood Family
Personal Life
In June 2020, Leatherwood wrote a screenplay for a video supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. He appeared in the video alongside other Alabama players and head coach Nick Saban, using his platform as a high-profile Crimson Tide athlete to amplify the message.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Leatherwood remains a free agent after his December 2024 release from the Los Angeles Chargers. His rookie contract with the Las Vegas Raiders, signed in 2021 and valued at $14.39 million fully guaranteed, is set to run through 2025, meaning his financial structure remains tied to the deal he signed as a first-round pick.
For 2025, Leatherwood will be looking to secure a depth role or practice-squad opportunity with an NFL team, drawing on his experience at both tackle and guard. His positional flexibility, starting from his time bouncing between right tackle, right guard, and left tackle at Alabama, remains one of his most marketable traits for potential suitors.
Outlook for the year centers on staying healthy, refining his technique in a third NFL scheme, and showing enough in training camp to earn a spot on an active 53-man roster. A strong 2025 campaign could help re-establish him as a reliable rotational lineman after several seasons bouncing between rosters and practice squads.