Wharton was a Shrine Bowl participant following his senior year at Hillcrest High School in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Travelle Wharton started 45 of the 47 games he played at left tackle for the University of South Carolina.

Wharton earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference recognition and was chosen to play in the Senior Bowl.

He was a team captain and was the lone returning starter on the offensive line that allowed only 10 sacks the entire season.

[2] He was the lone rookie starter on the offensive line in 2004 that yielded only 33 sacks, the third-lowest total in Carolina history.

This move reunited Wharton with newly hired head coach Ron Rivera, who he worked under with the Panthers.