Los Angeles Chargers announce signing of Alex Leatherwood

The Los Angeles Chargers signed former Alabama star offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, according to a release from the team.

A former first round pick in 2021 (No. 17 overall), Leatherwood bounced around with the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears and Cleveland Browns over the last three season. Now, he’ll have a new home in LA.

Playing under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who’s a big fan of the trenches himself, could boost Leatherwood’s career.

Leatherwood started 17 of 21 career games played with the Raiders and Bears. He was a member of the Browns’ practice squad in 2023.

During his time with the Raiders, Leatherwood started at tackle but due to struggles, was moved to guard. He was eventually waived on August 30, 2022.

Leatherwood was claimed the next day by the Bears and eventually activated on October 28. However, he was released prior to the 2023 regular season.

At Alabama, Leatherwood was a beast. He helped the Crimson Tide win two College Football Playoff national titles in 2017 and ’20. He won the Outland Trophy, Jacobs Blocking Trophy and was a unanimous All-American in 2020.

Leatherwood was also named First-Team All-SEC in 2019 and ’20, while making Second-Team in 2018.

As a member of the Class of 2017, Leatherwood was a five-star recruit out of Pensacola (Fla.) Booker T. Washington, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the class and the No. 3 overall prospect in the class.