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Courtney Upshaw

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Courtney Upshaw
refer to caption
Upshaw with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012
No. 91
Position:Linebacker
Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1989-12-13) December 13, 1989 (age 34)
Eufaula, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:272 lb (123 kg)
Career information
High school:Eufaula
College:Alabama (2008–2011)
NFL draft:2012 / round: 2 / pick: 35
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:216
Sacks:7.0
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:6
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Courtney Tremaine Upshaw (born December 13, 1989) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.

Early life

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Upshaw attended Eufaula High School, where he played for the Eufaula Tigers high school football team under head coach Dan Klages.[1][2] In his junior season, Upshaw posted 96 tackles and three interceptions as he helped lead Eufaula to a 14–1 season record, including the Tigers first state championship finale appearances since 1981.[3] They lost 10–7 to Athens.[4] 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 a four-star prospect and ninth in the state of Alabama by Rivals.com.[5]

College career

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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.[6] 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.[6][7] In the 2010 BCS National Championship Game against the Texas Longhorns, 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.[6][8]

In his junior season, Upshaw started 11 games for the Crimson Tide. He accounted for 52 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four forced fumbles.[9] 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.[10]

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.[11] For his on-field performance, Upshaw was named first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News.[12][13] He was also recognized as second-team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Associated Press.[14][15] 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.[16]

College statistics

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Year Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles Blk
GP GS Solo Ast Cmb TfL Yds Sck Yds Int Yds BU PD QBH FR Yds FF
2008[17] 13 0 12 10 22 3 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 0 0 0
2009[18] 14 1 7 8 15 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 4 2 45 0 0
2010[9] 13 13 32 20 52 14.5 69 7 40 0 0 2 2 2 1 0 4 0
2011[11] 13 13 37 15 52 18 90 9.5 62 1 45 12 13 10 0 0 2 0
Total 53 27 87 53 140 35.5 157 17.5 103 1 45 5 5 18 3 45 6 0

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 1+5⁄8 in
(1.87 m) 		272 lb
(123 kg) 		4.74 s 1.67 s 2.72 s 4.60 s 7.32 s 27 in
(0.69 m)		 9 ft 1 in
(2.77 m)
All values from Alabama Pro Day[19]

Baltimore Ravens

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Upshaw was taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the third pick of the second round (35th overall) in the 2012 NFL draft.[20][21]

On May 10, 2012, he signed a four-year, $5,296,698 contract (with $3,587,000 guaranteed) with the Ravens.[22] During his rookie year in 2012, Upshaw played 16 games with 55 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries.[23] 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 by a score of 34–31, giving Upshaw his first championship title.[24]

In 2013, Upshaw played 16 games with 31 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two passes defended.[25] In 2014, he played 16 games with 46 tackles and one pass defended.[26] In 2015, he played 16 games with 51 tackles, two sacks, two passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.[27][28] After the 2015 season, he became a free agent.

Atlanta Falcons

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On March 25, 2016, Upshaw signed a one-year contract with Atlanta Falcons worth $1.25 million.[29] In 13 games of 2016, Upshaw finished the year with 24 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.[30] The Falcons finished the season with an 11–5 record, and eventually made it to Super Bowl LI, where they would lose in overtime to the New England Patriots by a score of 34–28. In the game, Upshaw had one sack and one total tackle.[31]

On March 9, 2017, the Falcons re-signed Upshaw.[32] In the 2017 season, he appeared in 13 games and finished one sack and one forced fumble.[33]

New York Jets

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On June 14, 2018, Upshaw signed with the New York Jets.[34] On July 28, 2018, Upshaw was released by the Jets.[35]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2012 BAL 16 9 60 38 22 1.5 8 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 5 0
2013 BAL 16 13 30 19 11 1.5 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
2014 BAL 16 14 42 25 17 0.0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
2015 BAL 16 15 51 29 22 2.0 3 0 0 0 0 2 2 3 0 0
2016 ATL 13 5 24 15 9 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0
2017 ATL 13 0 9 5 4 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
90 56 216 131 85 7.0 20 0 0 0 0 7 5 6 5 0

Playoffs

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Cmb Solo Ast Sck TFL Int Yds TD Lng PD FF FR Yds TD
2012 BAL 4 2 9 7 2 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2014 BAL 2 2 4 3 1 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2016 ATL 3 0 1 1 0 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2017 ATL 2 0 2 0 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
11 4 16 11 5 2.0 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0

Personal life

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In 2023, Upshaw was hired as Defensive Line coach for Rush Propst at Pell City High School (AL).[36]

References

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  1. ^ Kausler Jr., Don (November 4, 2011). "Driven to succeed: Small hometown has played a big part in Courtney Upshaw's journey to Alabama football stardom". AL.com. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  2. ^ Mooty, Kyle (December 16, 2016). "NFL's Courtney Upshaw, Les Snead proud of Eufaula heritage". Dothan Eagle. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  3. ^ Milam`, Brooke (December 8, 2006). "Seniors' final game: Athens, Eufaula play for Class 5A marbles". Decatur Daily. Archived from the original on December 29, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  4. ^ "Athens edges Eufaula for Class 5A state championship". The News Courier. December 9, 2006. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  5. ^ "Courtney Upshaw, 2008 Outside Linebacker, Alabama". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Rogers, Ken (August 15, 2010). "Courtney Upshaw now a leader for Tide linebackers". Dothan Eagle. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  7. ^ Goodbread, Chase (October 4, 2009). "Upshaw in right place, right time for fumble return". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  8. ^ Rosner, Mark (January 8, 2010). "Anders' sack of Gilbert is play of the game". Austin American-Statesman. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  9. ^ a b University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2010–11 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  10. ^ Deas, Tommy (January 2, 2011). "Alabama defense harassed Michigan State quarterbacks". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  11. ^ a b University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2011–12 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  12. ^ "FWAA names 2011 All-America Team". Football Writers Association of America. December 10, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  13. ^ "Sporting News All-American team". Sporting News. aol.sportingnews.com. December 14, 2011. Archived from the original on January 8, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ Gould, Izzy (December 14, 2011). "Alabama places six on Associated Press All-American team". AL.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2008–09 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  18. ^ University of Alabama Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. "2009–10 Cumulative Season Statistics: Overall Defensive Statistics". RollTide.com. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  19. ^ "Courtney Upshaw – Alabama, DE : 2012 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". www.nfldraftscout.com.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "2012 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  22. ^ Rapoport, Ian (May 10, 2012). "Courtney Upshaw, Baltimore Ravens agree to contract". NFL.com. Retrieved September 5, 2012.
  23. ^ "Courtney Upshaw 2012 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  24. ^ "Super Bowl XLVII – San Francisco 49ers vs. Baltimore Ravens – February 3rd, 2013". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  25. ^ "Courtney Upshaw 2013 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  26. ^ "Courtney Upshaw 2014 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  27. ^ "Courtney Upshaw 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  28. ^ "Courtney Upshaw Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  29. ^ Wesseling, Chris (March 25, 2016). "Falcons sign former Ravens LB Courtney Upshaw". NFL.com. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  30. ^ "Courtney Upshaw 2016 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  31. ^ "Super Bowl LI – New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – February 5th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 6, 2017.
  32. ^ Jackson, Curtis (March 9, 2017). "Falcons Agree to Terms on Extensions With Upshaw, Schaub". AtlantaFalcons.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2017. Retrieved March 10, 2017.
  33. ^ "Courtney Upshaw 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
  34. ^ Lange, Randy (June 14, 2018). "Jets Sign DL Courtney Upshaw". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  35. ^ "Jets Sign DL Shaneil Jenkins, Release Courtney Upshaw". NewYorkJets.com. July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  36. ^ "Two former Alabama standouts added to Pell City football staff". Touchdown Alabama. May 24, 2023. Retrieved September 13, 2023.
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