2012 NFL Draft: Former Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw's Stock Takes a Hit

No matter how well you produced on the field in college, a poor showing in the pre-draft process will hurt your stock—just ask Courtney Upshaw.

Following Bama's triumph in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game—which gave the Crimson Tide the 2011 National Championship—Courtney Upshaw had the line of the night.  

"Touch that thing, folk," said Upshaw after being awarded the game's defensive MVP award.  

A whole lot of zeros are about to touch Upshaw's bank account, because the linebacker from Eufaula, Ala. is about to cash in no matter where he's drafted.  Upshaw is projected to go in the late-first or early-second round, according to most mock drafts.  

Is that too high?  Yep.

At 6'2", 279, Upshaw is on the larger side even compared to most inside linebackers in the NFL, but that didn't seem to be an issue at the college level, where he dominated outside.  

The biggest question Upshaw faced at Alabama's second Pro Day was his speed.  He didn't run the 40-yard dash at last month's NFL Scouting Combine, and now we know why.  Upshaw clocked 40-yard dash times of 4.73 and 4.76 at Alabama's Pro Day on Thursday.

The poor showing in the 40-yard dash is probably going to drop Upshaw out of the first round, but that doesn't mean his NFL career is done.  We've seen Upshaw perform at the highest level on the biggest stage in college football.  His measurables may not be up to par, but his heart and his effort are.

He will have a fine career in the NFL, but his draft stock took a hit on Thursday.

Follow @BarrettSallee