In high school, Sharper primarily played quarterback, and he wanted to be a quarterback at William & Mary as well, until his college coach, Jimmye Laycock, told Sharper that he had the potential to succeed in the NFL as a defensive back.Jimmye Laycock, told Sharper that he had the potential to succeed in the NFL as a defensive back During his college career, he earned All-America honors twice in 1995–1996) and was named first-team All-Yankee Conference selection three times, 1994–1996. As a senior in 1996, he was the Yankee Conference Defensive Player of the Year after intercepting 10 passes.