Leatherwood enrolled at Alabama a semester early and played in seven games as a true freshman. He saw significant playing time in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game, entering the game at left tackle after start Jonah Williams was injured in the third quarter. He was moved to right tackle during spring practice and moved again to right guard during fall training camp, winning the starting job going into his sophomore season. He started all 15 of the Crimson Tide's games, giving up 21 pressures, and was named second team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) by the league's coaches.