Courtney Upshaw

Courtney Upshaw

refer to caption

Upshaw with the Balitmore Ravens in 2012
No. 91 Atlanta Falcons
Position: Defensive Tackle
Personal information
Date of birth: (1989-12-13) December 13, 1989
Place of birth: Eufaula, Alabama
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 272 lb (123 kg)
Career information
High school: Eufaula (AL)
College: Alabama
NFL Draft: 2012 / Round: 2 / Pick: 35
Career history
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2016
Total tackles: 186
Sacks: 5.0
Forced fumbles: 4
Pass deflections: 7
Interceptions: 0
Player stats at NFL.com

Courtney Upshaw (born December 13, 1989) is an American football defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama.

High school career

Upshaw attended Eufaula High School, where he played for the Eufaula Tigers high school football team under head coach Dan Klages. In his junior season, Upshaw posted 96 tackles and three interceptions as he led Eufaula to a 14–1 season record, including the Tigers first state championship finale appearances since 1981.[1] They lost 10–7 to Athens.[2] As a senior Upshaw had 95 solo 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 the Alabama Class 5A Lineman of the Year by the Alabama Sports Writers Association and ASWA Class 5A All-State selection in 2007. Upshaw was ranked as the No. 4 defensive end in 2008 by ESPN.com.[3]

College career

After playing in all 13 games of his freshman season, Upshaw saw his playing time increase in his second season at Alabama. He made one start and appeared in all 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2009.[4] Upshaw made the most of his first career start against Kentucky, as he tallied four solo tackles, one sack and returned a fumble 45 yards for a key against the Wildcats.[4][5] In the 2010 BCS National Championship Game Upshaw recovered a Garrett Gilbert fumble on an Eryk Anders quarterback sack with just 3:08 remaining in the game, that sealed the title for the Crimson Tide.[4][6]

In his junior season Upshaw started 11-of-13 games for the Crimson Tide. He accounted for 52 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four forced fumbles.[7] In the 2011 Capital One Bowl against Michigan State, Upshaw led the defense for the Crimson Tide, who won 49–7, with a pair of sacks, five tackles, including three for a loss as well as forcing a fumble, and was voted the game's MVP for his effort.[8]

In his senior season, Upshaw started all 13 games for the Crimson Tide. He accounted for 51 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.[9] For his on-field performance, Upshaw was named first team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News.[10][11] He was also recognized as second team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Associated Press.[12][13] In the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, Upshaw was named the defensive MVP with his seven tackle performance, which included one sack and one tackle for a loss.[14]

College statistics

Year GP–GS Tackles Sacks Pass Defense Fumbles Blocked
Solo Ast Total Loss–Yards No–Yards Int–Yards BU PD QBH No–Yards FF Kick
2008[15] 13–0 12 10 22 3–3 0–0 0–0 2 2 1 0–0 0 0
2009[16] 14–1 7 8 15 1–1 1–1 0–0 0 0 4 2–45 0 0
2010[7] 13–13 32 20 52 14.5–69 7–40 0–0 2 2 2 1–0 4 0
2011[9] 13–13 37 15 52 18-90 9.5–62 1–45 12 13 10 0–0 2 0
Total 87 53 140 35.5–157 17.5–103 1–45 5 5 18 3–45 6 0

Professional career

2012 NFL Draft

Upshaw was taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the third pick of the second round (35th overall) in the 2012 NFL Draft.[17]

Pre-draft measurables
Ht Wt 40-yd dash 10-yd split 20-yd split 20-ss 3-cone Vert Broad BP
6 ft  1 1⁄2 in 272 lb 4.74 s 1.67 s 2.72 s 4.60 s 7.32 s 27 in 9 ft 1 in
All values from Alabama Pro Day[18]

Baltimore Ravens

On May 10, 2012, he signed a four-year, $5,296,698 contract (with $3,587,000 guaranteed) with the Ravens.[19] During his rookie year in 2012, Upshaw played 16 games with 55 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes defended, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries. In Super Bowl XLVII, Upshaw recorded his first forced fumble against San Francisco 49ers running back LaMichael James, which the Ravens recovered and scored on the ensuing possession. The Ravens won the Super Bowl 34-31, giving Upshaw his first championship title.

In 2013, Upshaw played 16 games with 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 2 passes defended. In 2014, he played 16 games with 46 tackles and 1 pass defended. In 2015, he played 16 games with 51 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. After the 2015 season, he became a free agent.

Atlanta Falcons

On March 25, 2016, Upshaw signed a one-year contract with Atlanta Falcons worth $1.25 million.[20]

References

  1. ↑ "Seniors' final game: Athens, Eufaula play for Class 5A marbles". Decatur Daily. December 8, 2006.
  2. ↑ "Athens edges Eufaula for Class 5A state championship". The News Courier. December 9, 2006.
  3. ↑ Courtney Upshaw Recruiting Profile
  4. 1 2 3 Rogers, Ken (August 15, 2010). "Courtney Upshaw now a leader for Tide linebackers". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ Goodbread, Chase (October 4, 2009). "Upshaw in right place, right time for fumble return". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  6. ↑ Rosner, Mark (January 8, 2010). "Anders' sack of Gilbert is play of the game". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  7. 1 2 University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2010–11 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  8. ↑ Deas, Tommy (January 2, 2011). "Alabama defense harassed Michigan State quarterbacks". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  9. 1 2 University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2011–12 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  10. ↑ "FWAA names 2011 All-America Team". Football Writers Association of America. December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Sporting News All-American team". Sporting News. aol.sportingnews.com. December 14, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  12. ↑ "122nd edition of the Walter Camp All-America Team announced". Walter Camp Football Foundation. December 8, 2011. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  13. ↑ Gould, Izzy (December 14, 2011). "Alabama places six on Associated Press All-American team". AL.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  14. ↑ Johnson, Jon (January 9, 2012). "Eufaula native Courtney Upshaw named BCS title game Defensive MVP". Eufaula Tribune. Media General News Service. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  15. ↑ University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2008–09 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  16. ↑ University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2009–10 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  17. ↑ Gribble, Andrew (April 27, 2012). "At last, Courtney Upshaw goes to the Baltimore Ravens with 3rd pick in 2nd round". AL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  18. ↑ http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=84728&draftyear=2012&genpos=DE
  19. ↑ Rapoport, Ian (May 10, 2012). "Courtney Upshaw, Baltimore Ravens agree to contract". NFL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  20. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (March 25, 2016). "Falcons sign former Ravens LB Courtney Upshaw". NFL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
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