Alex Leatherwood - 6'6/315 - G/T - Alabama
Background - From Pensacola, FL. Major offers from all the big schools. Wanted to go to Bama and finished up school early so he could enroll asap. Wanted to be a part of what's going on there. Already graduated. Outland award winner (best interior linemen)
Run Blocking - Leatherwood plays with a nasty, brawler-type mentality in the run game. Noticeably hyped when he moves someone 10 yards back or pancakes a body. My favorite aspect about this part of his game is the fact that he plays with his hips > feet. Hips and core pop first before anything else. He can really generate power from there. He'll then uses his feet to steer that force into a defender to drive them back. That aspect has been missing from young offensive linemen coming into the league lately. He can really fire off the ball with his his hips, drive-combo block someone back before climbing to the second level to forklift a defender with his long arms. At times he strikes with really nice placement and It's over from there. His too big, too mean and arms are too long to do anything about it.
At times Leatherwood and some linemen have such a great feel for the run game it's almost like they have eyes in the back of head. They're feet, the path they take and create is so exact with the ball carrier. He's a very good - great drive blocker/angle blocker. Power, power - torque to wall off his man to create a lane. + Grip strength. Adequate leg power but could improve & very nice overall strength. Gets from A to B but isn't the fastest climbing to the second level, good enough though. Might not get hands on everyone but isn't a liability.
Pass Pro - Has worked very hard on pass pro over the years. Still working but at times quick, clean and efficient sets. Whether it's run blocking or pass pro he makes it a point to stay square, stay in position throughout the rep. He'll make mistakes, don't have the most athleticism but he's not afraid or a quitter. Only 5 sacks/pressures this year ( 2 sacks, 3 pressures) in the best conference in America. Playing against future pros every week.
Hand placement and usage could improve but real potential if his arms are as long as they look. Displays solid, functional lower half movements-mechanics in his lower half. Strong paws.
Inconsistent first step. Too small cutting off on a 45 jump and can get too vertical and leave himself vulnerable to inside moves or counters. Counters in general can bother the big guy from time to time, especially rushing off edge with speed. Has a little trouble recovering and moving laterally.
Versatility-Experience - Mucho experience at guard and tackle and really excelled at both. Real versatility you can work with right away as guard, tackle/swing tackle. 920+ snaps at RG, 1500+ at LT, 12 at RT. He's someone you can have a plan with and try to develop in other areas.
Has the perfect demeanor for the position. Wants to win every rep and let's guys know if he was successful. Wants to throw guys into the dirt. Very hard worker with a brain, been working towards this forever. Likes being on a team and working, fighting together. Love the passion and attitude he brings. Practice, film study, school. Looks like a nice addition to a locker room.
Could stand to work on overall balance, hand/eye coordination and overall strength & conditioning.
Speed rushers with a plan can and probably will give him trouble early on. Mostly ones with good hands to counter, redirect inside. That and his ability to recover or act laterally is suspect.
Summery -
Leatherwood is a really fine prospect. He'll likely always have some trouble against certain types outside but depending on your scheme you might be able to live with that. I think he could make it at tackle for certain teams but his best bet is inside imho. I only say that bc of the issues he has with certain rushers. Guys that know how to utilize their length - quicker types with decent hands. Inside he'll have a little more help, no edge to protect - a lot more straight forward, phonebooth type of attacks where he could rely on his power more. And he can always work on playing tackle.
I'm sure any team that selects him will try to develop him in that sort of way if they believe he's a G first. He has the potential, its real but needs a little TLC. I'm thinking teams like the Ravens, Rams, Minnesota and Bills would love him. Teams running gap/power. That should be right up his alley.
Leatherwood might not have the highest ceiling as a prospect but he looks like a very safe player who can contribute from day one and make a real impact relatively soon. That's extremely valuable to some coaches, certainly is to Bill. And that's why Leatherwood will be somewhat high on my board.
Decent drag hand (3rd eye)
Hips ...
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