For his entire life, Wharton has been a Missouri kid through and through. He grew up in University City, Mo., a suburb of St. Louis. He attended college at a small school, Missouri S&T (Division II), and earned a spot in the East-West Shrine Game. There, he caught the eye of several teams, but elected to sign with the Chiefs, since the team was close to home and his family would be able to see him play.
Now for the first time, Wharton will be leaving the Show Me State, after earning a long-term contract.