South Carolina football: Most underrated players of the decade
By Jacob Elsey
NO. 5 JOSEPH CHARLTON
Charlton, like nearly all punters, was overlooked throughout his four-year career, despite setting the school record in punting…twice. As a sophomore, the Columbia native punted 55 times for an average of 43.5 yards per punt, helping South Carolina to a 9-4 campaign.
He’d then set a school record as a junior, with a 44.8-yard punt average, before breaking that mark as a senior.
Last season, Charlton punted 68 times, averaging 47.7 yards a punt. The 68 punts were second-most in the SEC and his punt average ranked second nationally. Charlton’s 45.5-yard career average is the eighth-highest of any NCAA player over the last 20 years.
Since fans typically aren’t happy when they see the punter, Charlton was undervalued throughout his time at South Carolina. But the truth of the matter is that he influenced field position in close wins against teams like Georgia and North Carolina State. With his eligibility running out at the close of last season, the Gamecocks hope that the loss of their super special-teamer won’t have a negative effect on next year’s results.