Education
Upshaw attended Eufaula High School, where he played for the Eufaula Tigers high school football team under head coach Dan Klages.
Upshaw attended Eufaula High School, where he played for the Eufaula Tigers high school football team under head coach Dan Klages.
He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He played college football at Alabama. 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.
They lost 10–7 to Athens.
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 education
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 Number.
4 defensive end in 2008 by Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.com.
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. 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.
In the 2010 British Computer Society 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.
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.
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.
Foreign his on-field performance, Upshaw was named first team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News.
He was also recognized as second team All-America by the Walter Camp Football Foundation and the Associated Press. In the 2012 British Computer Society National Championship Game, Upshaw was named the defensive Most Valuable Player with his seven tackle performance, which included one sack and one tackle for a loss. 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.
Baltimore Ravens
On May 10, 2012, he signed a four year, $5,296,698 contract (with $3,587,000 guaranteed) with the Ravens.
During the regular season, he was noted for his solid play against the run. He also recorded 1.5 sacks.
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. Atlanta Falcons
On March 25, 2016, Upshaw signed a 4-year contract with Atlanta Falcons worth $5,296,698.