Alabama LT and Projected First-Rounder Alex Leatherwood to Return for Senior Season

Alabama is used to losing their best players to the NFL after every single season, but over the last few years, Nick Saban has been able to reel back a few underclassman for one more year with the Crimson Tide.

Added to that list is offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, who figured to be a mid-to-late first round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

To the surprise of many, Leatherwood announced on Thursday that he would return to Alabama for his senior season.

Thank you for the endless support Bama Nation! We’re coming for it all in 2020! pic.twitter.com/qMToSUPQp7
— Alex Leatherwood (@Alskee_) January 2, 2020

Leatherwood gave Alabama the best pair of tackles in the country, as he paired with right tackle Jedrick Wills to decimate SEC defensive lines. After being moved around the line in his Second Team All-SEC season in 2018, Leatherwood flourished at left tackle, earning First Team All-SEC honors in his junior year.

The 2020 offensive tackle class was by no means an exceptional one, so his decision to return is a bit puzzling. However, he could cement himself as either the top or second-ranked offensive tackle in the 2021 class now that he is back at Bama.

LT Alex Leatherwood returning to #Alabama in 2020.

Can go from a possible 1st rounder to a definite 1st rounder with a strong senior season. https://t.co/rp3hTN2pjd
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) January 2, 2020

Sorry, SEC edge rushers who thought you were getting a break when Leatherwood went to the pros. No. 70 is back in Tuscaloosa, and he'll be even better in 2020.