Courtney Upshaw
Encyclopedia
Courtney Upshaw is an American football
linebacker
for the University of Alabama
. Upshaw is considered one of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers of his class and a potential first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft
.
, under head coach Dan Klages. As a senior Upshaw had 95solo tackles, 65 assists, including 22 for loss and seven sacks to go with three fumble recoveries; He also had 20 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns as a tight end
. He was ranked as the No. 4 defensive end prospect in the country and the No3 player overall on the ESPN.com 150 list.
; He tallied four solo tackles, one sack, and returned a fumble 45 yards for a key touchdown against the Wildcats. Upshaw is most known for his recovery of a Garrett Gilbert
fumble on an Eryk Anders sack with just 3:08 remaining in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
, that sealed the title for the Crimson Tide.
In his junior season Upshaw started 11-of-13 games for the Crimson Tide. He accounted for 98 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 9 forced fumbles. In the 2011 Capital One Bowl
against Michigan State, Upshaw, once again, proved himself on the big stage. He led the way for the Crimson Tide, who won 49-7, with a pair of sacks, five tackles, including three for a loss as well as forcing an Michigan State fumble, and was voted the game's MVP.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the University of Alabama
University of Alabama
The University of Alabama is a public coeducational university located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States....
. Upshaw is considered one of the best pass-rushing outside linebackers of his class and a potential first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft
2012 NFL Draft
The 2012 NFL Draft will be the 77th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players.-Trades:...
.
High school career
Upshaw attended Eufaula High School in Eufaula, AlabamaEufaula, Alabama
Eufaula is a city in Barbour County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 13,908.-Geography:Eufaula is located at 31°53'21.732" North, 85°9'13.586" West ....
, under head coach Dan Klages. As a senior Upshaw had 95solo tackles, 65 assists, including 22 for loss and seven sacks to go with three fumble recoveries; He also had 20 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns as a tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
. He was ranked as the No. 4 defensive end prospect in the country and the No3 player overall on the ESPN.com 150 list.
College career
Known for his relentless pass-rush and physical, hard-hitting style of play, Upshaw saw his playing time increase in his second season with the Tide. He made one start and appeared in all 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2009. Upshaw made the most of his first career start against the Kentucky WildcatsKentucky Wildcats
The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky , a founding member of the Southeastern Conference...
; He tallied four solo tackles, one sack, and returned a fumble 45 yards for a key touchdown against the Wildcats. Upshaw is most known for his recovery of a Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert
Garrett Gilbert is a current quarterback for the SMU Mustangs college football team. Gilbert was regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks of his class and was named the 2008 Offensive Player of the Year by USA Today....
fumble on an Eryk Anders sack with just 3:08 remaining in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game
2010 BCS National Championship Game
The 2010 Citi BCS National Championship Game was the finale of the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and was played between the Texas Longhorns and the Alabama Crimson Tide. It was hosted by the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California,...
, that sealed the title for the Crimson Tide.
In his junior season Upshaw started 11-of-13 games for the Crimson Tide. He accounted for 98 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and 9 forced fumbles. In the 2011 Capital One Bowl
2011 Capital One Bowl
The 2011 Capital One Bowl was the sixty-fifth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. The game was played on January 1, 2011 and matched the Alabama Crimson Tide from the Southeastern Conference with the Michigan State Spartans from the Big...
against Michigan State, Upshaw, once again, proved himself on the big stage. He led the way for the Crimson Tide, who won 49-7, with a pair of sacks, five tackles, including three for a loss as well as forcing an Michigan State fumble, and was voted the game's MVP.