Posted on Thursday, June 16 @ Eastern Daylight Time 
Former Gamecock lands at left tackle after changing places on Panthers’ offensive line
Travelle Wharton spent the first part of his first NFL offseason working out in Columbia with former USC players and helping with the state’s juvenile diabetes foundation.
He spent time in his hometown of Simpsonville talking to elementary school students and assisting youth at the local parks and recreation department.
He pledged to help another former USC teammate with a summer camp and has tentatively agreed to help with a few other projects.
At times he feels like he is being pulled in 10 different directions.
Life on the field isn’t much different.
Wharton began his pro career last summer with the Carolina Panthers as a tackle, the position he had played his entire career. Due to injuries on the line, he was moved to guard early in the season, and he played well enough there to reasonably assume it would be his permanent position.
But when Wharton reported for minicamp in April he was moved to left tackle — considered the premium position on the offensive line — so Jordan Gross could be moved back to his natural position on the right side.
“My main thing is just to come out here and try to contribute in any way possible, be it at guard or tackle,” Wharton said at the Panthers’ voluntary summer camp. “I just want to come out there and help my team and not let my teammates down.”
At least Wharton is familiar with his latest position. That he made such a smooth transition to guard was perhaps a bigger surprise.
“He did an outstanding job for us at guard, so we know he can do that,” Carolina coach John Fox said. “We’re taking a look at him right now at left tackle, and we’ve been very impressed with what he’s done there.
“He’s got a lot of developing to do, but he’s got all the athletic and physical tools to do that. It’s just a matter of honing his skills, which I feel real comfortable he will (do).”
Wharton’s strength is patience.
“You don’t see that a lot in tackles,” Carolina defensive end Mike Rucker said. “He’s very patient with his hands, and he’s got good speed. ... If you’re trying to be aggressive, some of those moves he’s not biting on.”
It’s a different mindset than Wharton had at guard, where he was asked to explode on the man across the line of scrimmage.
“Out here at tackle, if you’re aggressive and miss, he’s wide open to the quarterback,” Wharton said. “You have to be patient, and at the same time be physical and aggressive.”
Wharton understands the importance of his role, knowing he will face the opponent’s best pass rusher on a weekly basis. He also understands he will face few better than Rucker and Julius Peppers, who he will battle every day in practice.
“Going against that speed in practice every day really helps a lot,” Wharton said.
The 6-foot-4 Wharton has trimmed down to 312 pounds to help improve his quickness, which wasn’t as much of an asset at guard.
“You want to be as quick as possible on the outside,” he said. “It’s a lot different when you have somebody right on your head at guard. In most cases you have inside help. If the guy goes inside, you have a combination of zone schemes to work up.
“Outside, you’re all alone, so you better be able to move on your feet. I have to be ready for that. My teammates are depending on me to handle this position.”
But Wharton refuses to put too much pressure on himself. He also has not thought about future contract implications, since the left tackle usually is the team’s highest-paid offensive lineman.
“I’m playing football,” he said. “It’s truly a blessing to be able to do that. I’m prepared to play whatever they want me to and contribute however I can.” | 
