Former Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood drawing praise with Raiders

Las Vegas Raiders rookie offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood has been drawing some praise through the first couple weeks of training camp.

“Sometimes he can be a little nerdy,” Raiders offensive line coach Tom Cable told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “Which is good, because I don’t have to worry about him out there raising hell … he’s been excellent.”

Leatherwood was the Raiders’ somewhat surprise first-round draft pick out of Alabama in April.

“[He’s an] extreme competitor,” Cable was quoted by USA Today’s Luke Straub. “I think that was probably my No. 1 characteristic that I loved about him; that he loved to play, and he loves to be great. As he fails, he learns. That’s the really cool part.”

Leatherwood is expected to see significant playing time as a rookie as the Raiders only return Richie Icognito and Kolton Miller along the offensive line. After playing the majority of his college career at left tackle, the Raiders are slotting Leatherwood in at right tackle. The praise comes as a pleasant surprise. When the Raiders announced the selection, it stunned media and was received rather negatively.

Initial reaction to Leatherwood pick

Between analysts from NBC Sports Bay Area, Bleacher Report, CBS Sports, FOX Sports, The Ringer, USA Today and Sporting News, the highest grade of the pick was a “B” and the lowest was an “F”.

Pete Prisco, who gave the pick a “B” grade stated: “I don’t love this pick. They need line help, but he’s more of a second-round pick in my mind.

It’s no secret Las Vegas general manager Matt Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden love players from Alabama and Clemson. Right now, the Raiders claim six former Crimson Tide players on their roster: running backs Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, and Bo Scarborough; receiver Henry Ruggs III; and offensive linemen Lester Cotton Sr. and Leatherwood. The Raiders also claim five Clemson players, most notably, former fourth-overall pick Clelin Ferrell, who’s selection was also met with ire.

If the recent pub is legit, Leatherwood appears ready to silence the noise.

Background on Alex Leatherwood

Leatherwood was a five-star recruit coming out of Booker T. Washington High School (FL.). He committed to Alabama as a junior.

Leatherwood went on to play in seven games as a freshman, including seeing significant playing time in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game, entering the game at left tackle after Jonah Williams went down with injury. As a sophomore, Leatherwood was moved first to right tackle, then right guard, starting every game at right guard. He moved back to left tackle prior to his junior season and was named first team All-SEC by the league’s coaches. As a senior, Leatherwood started every game and was named first team All-SEC and won the Outland Trophy.