Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Youngstown State receiver CJ Charleston cuts upfield en route to the end zone during the Penguins’ 52-10 victory over Valparaiso last Thursday.

YOUNGSTOWN — There was a time that CJ Charleston thought he may never play football again.

After a productive sophomore campaign that saw the dynamic Youngstown State wide receiver catch 16 passes for 147 yards, Charleston was primed to take another step forward in the 2022 season.

Life, of course, sometimes has other ideas.

Not even a full week into fall camp last year, Charleston suffered a season-ending Achilles injury — an injury that’s often tough to return from.

It made sense, then, that YSU head coach Doug Phillips and his staff kept Charleston on a snap count during the run up to the 2023 season opener last Thursday against Valparaiso in order to manage his health.

Charleston looked right at home in his long-awaited return. The junior kicked off his 2023 season by hauling in four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown.

“It was a blessing,” Charleston said. “When I scored today, I almost shed tears. There were times last year I didn’t think I was ever going to play football again. My mind — I was messed up mentally, and today I was just happy to be back out there with my guys.”

It should have come as no surprise that Charleston would find his way into YSU’s plans. Phillips said as much during Missouri Valley media day in early August.

For Charleston, it brought closure to a “long process” of recovery.

“Every day, I was in the training rooms getting rehab,” Charleston said. “I was talking to other guys who had similar injuries to mine just to get some tips, and they helped me a lot.”

And Charleston’s performance certainly helped YSU as it struggled early before hammering Valpo for a 52-10 win. The Gates Mills native scored his touchdown on a play-action screen midway through the second quarter, which at the time put YSU up 14-3 and gave the Penguins a chance to put the game away much earlier than they did. Earlier in the quarter, he caught a 16-yard pass on a third and 10 and held onto it after a solid hit.

“It’s devastating when you have a season-ending injury like we did last year with CJ,” Phillips said. “To see him come back, see him rehab and then see him have success, I couldn’t be happier for him and more proud of him.”

Still, by game’s end, the Penguins were able to show just how many weapons they feature. New tailback Tyshon King, making a spot start for would-be starter Dra Rushton, ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Da’Shaun Whatley added 59 yards and a score on five carries, while Cephus Harris tallied seven runs for 57 yards.

Meanwhile, Bryce Oliver hauled in five receptions for 65 yards, while Charleston was next with his four-catch day. In all, eight Penguins caught at least one pass.

“We have a lot of different threats,” Phillips said. “We didn’t see it (early). It was a weird flow today offensively and getting the ball downfield, but I know we can get the ball downfield. I know Mitch (Davidson) can get the ball downfield, and we have a lot of receivers who can catch it downfield.”

And now it includes Charleston again, who likely has more “blessings” in store for him this season.

jwhetzel@tribtoday.com