The Cleveland Browns have signed former South Carolina Gamecocks punter Joseph Charlton. The team announced the transaction on Twitter.
Charlton had a fantastic five-year run with the Gamecocks. He holds the school record for career punting average at 45.5 yards. He was a two-time second-team All-SEC selection (2018, 2019).
After going unselected in the 2020 NFL Draft, he was signed by the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. As a rookie, he appeared in all 16 games for the Panthers. He had 45 punts for 2,082 yards. His 46.3 yards per punt average ranked 14th in the NFL. In addition, he completed a pass for 28 yards:
Charlton played in five games for the Panthers in 2021. He was waived in November. He spent three days on the practice squad of the Kansas City Chiefs before being released again. The Jaguars signed him, and he played in one game for the franchise.
In the 2022 offseason, he was signed to a reserve/futures contract by the Browns. However, he did not make the 53-man roster and was waived in August.
Now, he will get a second chance to win the job in Cleveland. He will compete with incumbent starter Corey Bojorquez.
Image credit: Gamecock Central, CC BY 2.0, via flickr (cropped)
