2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Courtney Upshaw's Aggressiveness Will Make Him an Enemy to NFL QBs (Video)

Sunday, February 12, 2012

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By Daniel Wolf
Senior Writer

One of the reasons the Alabama Crimson Tide won their second National Championship in the last three years was its defense.

Outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw was one of their biggest contributors in 2011, and he is as NFL-ready as they come.

A violent motor is noticeable on Upshaw as soon as you see him hit a ball carrier for a loss in any one of his game films. He is non-stop until the whistle blows and aggressive in his style. He finished his senior campaign with 51 tackles (17 of those for a loss), 8.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles.

The 6'2" and 265 pound OLB is versatile enough to play in a 3-4 scheme as a linebacker, as he did with the Tide. Or he can drop down as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme as he did during the Senior Bowl under the Washington Redskins' coaching staff.

"Though I was an outside linebacker in 'Bama's 3-4, the Redskins' coaching staff—which was in charge of the South team—lined me up at defensive end," Upshaw wrote in a column on SI.com. "The position was actually pretty similar to what I played in college, and I felt comfortable lining up there. I played pretty well in practice and I had some success with my bull rush in one-on-one drills against offensive tackles."

However, NFL teams who think Upshaw can fully convert into a 4-3 DE better be aware of his learning curve.

"I do wish that I would've showcased my other pass-rushing moves more though," Upshaw wrote as a subtle complaint to playing DE, during Senior Bowl week.

The talent is there regardless of being an outside linebacker or defensive end in the NFL. He fits the mold of either and he has value to all teams because of his natural power, speed and versatility. Upshaw can shed blockers similar to how a ball carrier sheds would-be tacklers.

A three-down defender who can do it all, Upshaw even has the speed to drop into coverage. He is a younger version of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison—just bigger, stronger and faster.




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