Courtney Upshaw is a free agent.
After winning a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens in 2012 and helping the Atlanta Falcons push to Super Bowl 52 in 2016, the former University of Alabama linebacker is working on finding a new home in the National Football League.
In a tweet from Field Yates of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles seem to be interested in the second-round pick as it hosted him Tuesday.
With Carson Wentz returning from a season-ending knee injury, the Eagles will look to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
Despite playing outside linebacker at Alabama and in Baltimore, Upshaw’s versatility was seen in Atlanta as he logged snaps at defensive tackle in 2017. His pass-rushing capabilities proceeded him in the 2012 NFL Draft and he’s totaled 216 tackles, seven sacks, six forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries and eight pass breakups through his first six seasons.
While Philadelphia would not mind having him, in a conversation Upshaw had with yours truly of Touchdown Alabama Magazine on April 14 he wants to return to the Falcons.
“I would love to be back in Atlanta,” Upshaw said. “It’s close to come. I would be near my family and I just bought a home there. It would be Atlanta, but honestly, I’m still in the phase of where I still love the game. It’s not about collecting checks. I just want to be on the field.”
A native of Eufaula, Ala., Upshaw’s hometown is two hours and 19 minutes from Atlanta – a perfect reason as to why he wants to return to #RiseUp under head coach Dan Quinn.
Before getting to the NFL, Upshaw was loved by fans at Alabama.
He captained a defense in 2011 that led college football in all five major categories, including scoring defense (8.2 ppg), rush defense (72.2 ypg) and total defense (184 ypg).
Upshaw recorded 52 tackles that season and collected a team-high 18 stops for loss, 9.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hurries as the Tide captured a BCS national championship.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
