Many players in the Nick Saban era for Alabama football went on to be difference makers.
No matter whether it was in professional football, business, or coaching, Saban always told his players people will not remember what you did on the field, but they will remember how you made them feel. Roy Upchurch was not a Saban recruit; however, he learned a lot from him. A native of Tallahassee, Fla., Upchurch arrived at the University of Alabama in 2005 under Mike Shula.
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Saban came two years later in 2007 and Upchurch earned a BCS National Championship ring with Saban in 2009.
He caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Greg McElroy in the ’09 Iron Bowl versus Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Before that moment, he contributed in the Crimson Tide’s marquee, 41-30 victory over Georgia in 2008 at Sanford Stadium. It was the first major victory of the Saban era for the Tide, and Upchurch totaled 69 yards — including 51 receiving yards — and a touchdown on eight touches. He is now a coach at Dora High School, and his players went crazy in excitement after watching his collegiate highlights from the Georgia matchup. Upchurch is teaching the next generation how to be successful in football and life.
Roy Upchurch’s players go CRAZY watching his highlights at Alabama 😂
(🎥 via: JhiJhi/TikTok) pic.twitter.com/iwR3AXJq9T
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) July 2, 2024
He was one of several Shula recruits that helped Saban start his run of national titles.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
