2012 NFL Draft: Alabama Star Upshaw Continues to Impress at Senior Bowl

Before he began his college career at the University of Alabama, Courtney Upshaw played the final game of his high school career at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game. 

In a stroke of irony, his collegiate career will end on Saturday in the same stadium when he lines up for the South team at the 2012 Under Armour Senior Bowl.  

“It was one of the main reasons I came back for my senior year, “ Upshaw said. “It (playing in the Senior Bowl) is something I really wanted to do, and now that I was given the opportunity, I’m here and ready to go.” 

Upshaw arrived in Tuscaloosa as a wiry, 220-pound athlete who played wide receiver and defensive end at Eufaula (Ala.) high school.  

On Monday, Upshaw tipped the scales at an imposing 6’1.5” and 273 pounds at the weigh in before taking the field for the South team’s first practice at Fairhope Municipal Stadium.  

With the Washington Redskins coaching staff choosing to employ a 4-3 defense, NFL scouts are eager to see how Upshaw handles lining up every down as a defensive end.  

“I’m taking this week to showcase my pass-rushing skills,” Upshaw said. “Me playing defensive end (this week), in case I have to be in a 4-3 defense (in the NFL), I want to show that I am capable of playing defensive end.”  

Most draft analysts have Upshaw pegged as a first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, but a strong week in Mobile could see his stock shoot up—similar to what happened with Texas A&M’s Von Miller last year.    

Alabama head coach Nick Saban helped to mold Upshaw into one of the nation’s elite pass-rushers, and showcased his freakish talents standing up and putting his hand in the dirt as the Jack linebacker position in the Tide’s 3-4 scheme. 

“The reason why I went there (Alabama) is because of Nick Saban,” Upshaw said.  “I want to thank him for everything he has done for me, especially bringing coach Sal (Sunseri) in.  Because coach Sal basically changed my game and made me who I am today.”  

Saban’s reputation for being a tough, defensive-minded coach that runs complex NFL-style schemes is something Upshaw plans to use to his advantage at the next level.  

“Coach Saban is an NFL guy,” Upshaw said. “The defense that he runs is really tough to learn.  Once you get his defense down, I’m sure I can learn anyone else’s defense too."

Upshaw’s career at the Capstone culminated with a performance that earned him Defensive Player of the Game honors in the BCS National Championship Game and his second national title.   

Upshaw made sure to remind the teammates he is leaving behind to live up to standards set by the outgoing senior class.  

“I try to tell all the young guys (at Alabama) to put it in their heads that nobody can stop you,” Upshaw said. “I tell them to try to dominate each snap, because that is (the mindset) I took into this season, and it really helped me out.”   

Sanjay Kirpalani is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

Follow @skirp1