He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011.

[4] As a senior, Upshaw had 95 solo tackles, 65 assists, including 22 for loss and seven sacks to go with three fumble recoveries.

[6] 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.

[9] In the 2011 Capital One Bowl against Michigan State, Upshaw led the defense for the Crimson Tide, who won 49–7, with a pair of sacks, five tackles, including three for a loss as well as forcing a fumble, and was voted the game's MVP for his effort.

[11] For his on-field performance, Upshaw was named first-team All-America by the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News.

[23] 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.

[30] The Falcons finished the season with an 11–5 record, and eventually made it to Super Bowl LI, where they would lose in overtime to the New England Patriots by a score of 34–28.

[35] In 2023, Upshaw was hired as defensive line coach under Rush Propst at Pell City High School (AL).