The Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday announced they signed offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood.
Here are five things to know about Leatherwood:
1. Former 1st-round pick
Leatherwood joins the Chargers as a former high draft pick.
A member of the 2021 NFL Draft class, Leatherwood was selected No. 17 overall in the first round by the Raiders. He was the fourth offensive lineman picked that year.
He spent his rookie year with Las Vegas and started all 17 games for them that season.
2. Right side of the line
The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman has played the vast majority of his NFL career on the right side of the line.
Leatherwood initially began playing right tackle as a rookie before kicking inside to guard.
In his rookie season, Leatherwood logged 257 snaps at tackle and 847 at right guard. And during his recent time with the Bears, he played 27 snaps at right tackle and three at left guard.
3. Two-time National Champion
It didn't take long for Leatherwood to see action as a true freshman at Alabama.
After playing snaps on and off during his first season he would step up in a big way, filling in for an injury at left tackle during the Crimson Tide's National Championship Game victory against Georgia.
Leatherwood would then go on to spend his sophomore season at right guard before kicking back outside at left tackle for his final two seasons at Alabama.
He became one of the nation's best those final two years at the school and go on to capture a second National Championship during his senior season in 2020.
4. Outland Trophy Winner
Leatherwood saved his best collegiate season for his last.
National Championship win aside, the offensive lineman was arguably college football's best that season and was a unanimous First-Team All-American.
He was also awarded the Outland Trophy that year, which is given to the best interior lineman in college football. He was the fifth Crimson Tide player to win the award.
5. Florida standout
Leatherwood made a name for himself as one of the best offensive line prospects in the country.
A consensus five-star recruit, he was a star at Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola, Florida. The big offensive lineman racked up national honors and became one of the top prospects in the state.
He also earned a First-Team Parade All-American Team nomination and participated in the Under Armour All-America Game before joining the Crimson Tide.
