One of the Chargers’ sixth-round picks in 2026 is up next in offensive lineman Alex Harkey!
Let’s get to know him!
The Basics
Height: 6’6
Weight: 327 pounds
College: Tyler JC/Colorado/Texas State/Oregon
Experience: Rookie
Harkey starred for Jack C. Hays High School in Buda, Texas where he played tight end and defensive line. His senior season, he caught 13 passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns. On the basketball court, Harkey averaged a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds per game.
After not receiving
much attention as a prospect, Harkey started his collegiate career going the JUCO route and attending Tyler Junior College. After his 2020 season was affected by the COVID pandemic, he played in just four games as a tight end for the Apaches in 2021 before making the transition to offensive tackle.
Following his two years at Tyler JC, Harkey transferred to the University of Colorado with four remaining years of eligibility. In 2022, he saw time in 12 games (34 snaps total) at both right guard and on special teams. Once Colorado fired their head coach and hired Deion Sanders to lead the program, Harley was one of the many players that transferred away from Boulder to continue their careers elsewhere.
Harkey eventually ended up in the Sun Belt Conference to play for Texas State. In his first season for the Bobcats, he saw just 70 total snaps in 2023 at right tackle across appearances in four games. The following season saw him earn his first starting job, playing in 12 games en route to being named a Third-Team All-Sun Belt selection.
For Harkey’s final year of eligibility, he transferred up into the Power 4 to play for the University of Oregon.
With the Ducks, Harkey started 14 of the team’s 15 games at right tackle. After helping his squad get back to the College Football Playoff, Harkey was named an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection.
During the 2026 NFL Draft, Harley was selected by the Chargers in the sixth round with pick 206.
The Good
Harkey offers guard/tackle versatility with most of his snaps coming on the edge. At 6’6, he’s got good length and should be able to slide inside to guard just fine. His relative athletic score is above average at 7.61 (among guard prospects since 1987) with notables marks of 31 inches in the vertical and 7.69 in the three-cone drill.
Harkey’s path to the NFL that started at the JUCO is a really clear signifier that his work ethic is high and show’s he’s willing to put it in the work and embrace the grind in hopes of achieving bigger and bigger dreams.
The Bad
Harkey’s worrisome short shuttle time (4.90) is a bit of a red flag in that it’s one of the pre-draft tests that can be directly correlated to Mike McDaniel’s wide zone scheme that requires its linemen to be able to get up and go out of their stance. Just off this number alone. Harkey may have trouble getting on his horse and hitting his landmarks in the run game consistently enough.
2026 Outlook
The Chargers normally keep around nine offensive linemen on their active roster. That normally includes their five starters and their best and most-versatile backups to allow them an extra spot or two for another position. Harkey looks like he’ll be just outside that group as a rookie and I would expect him to land on the practice squad for the entirety of the season.
