Alex Leatherwood Bio
Alexander Leatherwood (born January 5, 1999) is an American professional football offensive tackle who plays in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he became a two-time College Football Playoff (CFP) national champion and earned the Outland Trophy and Jacobs Blocking Trophy in 2020. Selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, Leatherwood has since played for the Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, and Los Angeles Chargers.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall and listed at 312 pounds, Leatherwood is known for his size and athleticism along the offensive line. He earned unanimous All-American honors during his senior season at Alabama and was recognized as one of the top offensive line prospects of his draft class.
Early Life and Background
Alexander Leatherwood was born on January 5, 1999, in Pensacola, Florida, where he was raised and developed his early love for football. He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola and quickly established himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in the country.
During his time at Booker T. Washington, Leatherwood was named first-team All-Area by the Pensacola News Journal as both a junior and a senior. As a senior, he was recognized as a first-team All-American by Parade and earned a second-team All-American nod from USA Today. He also played in the prestigious All-America Bowl, a showcase for the nation’s top high school football players.
Leatherwood was rated a consensus five-star recruit and ranked among the top 10 players in his class nationally. He committed to play college football at the University of Alabama during his junior year of high school, choosing the Crimson Tide over several other prominent programs.
Path to American Football
Leatherwood’s path to the NFL began with his early enrollment at the University of Alabama, where he joined the Crimson Tide a semester ahead of schedule. As a true freshman in 2017, he played in seven games and gained valuable experience along the offensive line. He saw significant action in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game after starter Jonah Williams was injured in the third quarter, entering at left tackle.
Following that championship run, Leatherwood moved to right tackle during spring practice and then to right guard during fall training camp, eventually winning the starting job going into his sophomore season. He started all 15 games for the Crimson Tide and was named second-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the league’s coaches.
After his sophomore year, Leatherwood was moved back to left tackle, the position he would anchor for the remainder of his Alabama career. He started every game the following season and earned first-team All-SEC honors, along with first-team All-America recognition from the American Football Coaches Association. After considering entering the 2020 NFL Draft, he announced his decision to return to Alabama for his senior season, a choice that paid off with one of the most decorated individual seasons in Crimson Tide history.
Alex Leatherwood Career
Early Career (2017–2020)
Leatherwood’s early career at Alabama was marked by steady progression and positional versatility. After contributing as a freshman on the 2017 national championship team, he became a full-time starter the following season and helped Alabama compete for another title. His willingness to move between tackle and guard demonstrated the kind of flexibility that coaches value along the offensive line.
By his junior season, Leatherwood had settled in at left tackle and was widely regarded as one of the best offensive linemen in college football. He started every game, earned first-team All-SEC honors, and played a central role in Alabama’s offensive success. His development positioned him as a likely first-round pick had he declared for the NFL Draft, but his decision to return for his senior year allowed him to further refine his game.
Alabama Crimson Tide Breakthrough (2019–2020)
Leatherwood’s junior season in 2019 cemented his status as a top-tier college offensive tackle. He was named first-team preseason All-SEC and a second-team preseason All-American by Sporting News entering the year. He was also placed on the Outland Trophy watchlist midway through the season. He started every game for the Crimson Tide and was named first-team All-SEC by the league’s coaches, second-team by the media, and first-team All-America by the American Football Coaches Association.
His senior season in 2020 was his most decorated. Leatherwood started all 13 games as Alabama won the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, giving him titles in both 2017 and 2020. He was named first-team All-SEC and was the co-winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy alongside Alabama center Landon Dickerson. He was also a unanimous first-team All-America selection and was awarded the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2021)
Leatherwood was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. On May 24, 2021, he signed his four-year rookie contract, a fully guaranteed deal worth $14.39 million. He moved to offensive guard during his rookie season due to struggles at the tackle position and was waived by the Raiders on August 30, 2022, after just one year with the team.
Chicago Bears Era (2022–2023)
On August 31, 2022, Leatherwood was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears. He was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list on September 14, 2022, before being activated on October 28. His time in Chicago was limited, and he was released by the Bears on August 27, 2023.
Cleveland Browns Era (2023–2024)
On August 30, 2023, Leatherwood was signed to the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns. His contract expired when the team’s season ended on January 13, 2024, after which he became a free agent.
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2024)
On May 29, 2024, Leatherwood signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He was released on August 27, 2024, and re-signed to the practice squad. Leatherwood was released by the Chargers on December 10, 2024.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Leatherwood’s college career came during the 2018 CFP National Championship Game, when he entered at left tackle after Jonah Williams was injured. His senior season in 2020 produced the most significant milestones of his career, including the Outland Trophy, the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, unanimous All-American honors, and a second CFP national championship. In June 2020, he also wrote a screenplay for a video supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, appearing alongside other Alabama players and head coach Nick Saban.
Alex Leatherwood Career Achievements
Across his college career, Alexander Leatherwood compiled one of the most decorated résumés of any offensive lineman in Alabama history. He was a two-time CFP national champion, winning titles with the Crimson Tide in 2017 and 2020. His senior season produced a sweep of the Outland Trophy, the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, and unanimous first-team All-America honors.
Alabama Crimson Tide Highlights
Leatherwood was a three-time All-SEC selection, earning second-team honors in 2018 and first-team honors in both 2019 and 2020. He was also a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association in 2019 and a unanimous first-team All-American in 2020. He started all 13 games of Alabama’s 2020 national championship run and played a key role in the 2017 title as well.
Other Performances
Leatherwood’s senior season stood out as his most decorated year, capping a college career that included appearances in two College Football Playoff National Championship Games. His offensive line play during the 2020 championship run earned him national recognition as the best interior lineman in college football.
Alex Leatherwood Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Alexander Leatherwood was raised in Pensacola, Florida, where he attended Booker T. Washington High School. Specific details about his parents and extended family are not widely documented in public sources.
Personal Life
Leatherwood came into the national spotlight beyond football in June 2020, when he wrote a screenplay for a video in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. He appeared in the video alongside other Alabama players and head coach Nick Saban. Public information about his marital status, spouse, and children is not available at this time.
2025 Season Outlook
As of early 2025, Alexander Leatherwood is a free agent following his release from the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad in December 2024. His most recent NFL regular-season statistics show 21 games played and 17 games started across his time with the Raiders, Bears, and Chargers. He will look to secure a roster spot for the 2025 NFL season and revive a professional career that began with first-round expectations.
Leatherwood’s experience at both tackle and guard, combined with his physical measurables of 6 feet 5 inches and 312 pounds, gives him the kind of versatility teams look for along the offensive line. His college résumé, highlighted by an Outland Trophy and two national championships, remains one of the strongest of any available free agent offensive lineman.
The outlook for 2025 will depend largely on his next contract opportunity and his ability to demonstrate consistency in training camp. With the NFL offseason underway, Leatherwood is expected to pursue opportunities where his combination of size, experience, and championship pedigree can be put to use.