Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood To Stay, Tua Tagovailoa Still To Make Decision

Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood has made the decision to return to Alabama for his senior season. After consulting his parents and coach Nick Saban, Leatherwood made the decision to join the Tide back on the field as they seek to avenge a disappointing season.

“I believe that I have more left to learn,” Leatherwood wrote. “I realize that this decision provides me with the best opportunity to become a better player, student and man. This season did not go the way we planned, but this is not the end for us.”

Alabama (11-2) ended their season with a 35-16 win over Michigan (9-4) in the Citrus Bowl. Having suffered from injuries and disappointing losses, the Tide sought this win to at least end the season on a positive note.

Leatherwood is a two-year starter at Alabama and was a first-team All-SEC selection this season. He was also a first-team AFCA All-American in 2019.

As for star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, his decision on whether to return to Alabama for his senior season is yet to come. The decision is set to not affect the NFL Draft-decision making, but also next years’ college football season.

After suffering a hip injury in mid-November, Tagovailoa’s season ended and Alabama’s troubles slowly began.

For Tagovailoa, heading to the NFL means a payday and a step forward. He’s already played in two national championship games and was a Heisman Trophy runner-up. There isn’t much left to prove at Alabama.

A con looms over Tagovailoa has “injury prone”, given that he has suffered from ankle issues in the last two seasons. If he stays at Alabama, there is a chance for him to showcase that he is healthy and willing to last long in the league.

Whatever the decision, it will have effects on both the NFL and college football, and for Alabama, they need a new spark to get back to what they do best…winning.