After being redshirted as a freshman in 2005, Sharpton earned third-team freshman All-America by The Sporting News and Collegefootballnews.com and was selected to The Sporting News ACC all-freshman team. He finished the season starting five of 12 games recording 41 tackles and a sack. As a sophomore in 2007 he started five of 11 games, recording 57 tackles. As a junior in 2008 recorded 58 tackles and a sack. As a senior in 2009 he had 106 tackles including 8.5 TFL and returned an interception for a touchdown. He also had a forced fumble.
Professional career
Houston Texans
Sharpton was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round (102nd pick) of the 2010 NFL draft.[1] He became a free agent after the 2013 season.[2]
Washington Redskins
Sharpton signed a one-year contract with the Washington Redskins on March 13, 2014.[3] The Redskins placed him on injured reserve on August 30, 2014.[4] The Redskins terminated Sharpton's contract on September 22.[5]