Aliquippa native Charles Fisher began his athletic journey at age five in a youth football program. At Aliquippa High School, Charles was a three-year letterman and team captain for football and basketball, with Aliquippa winning state championships for football in 1991 and basketball in 1994. Charles was named 2nd Team All-State in basketball and received multiple All-State awards for track and field, but his best accomplishments were in football. In 1994, Charles finished as Aliquippa's all-time single-season reception leader, played in the Big 33 Game, and was named 1st Team All-State receiver, 2nd Team All-State cornerback, and Section 1st team offense and defense in 1994. Charles finished his high school career with 67 tackles, including 54 solo tackles, one sack, four interceptions, 13 pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. Charles's talents garnered him a scholarship to West Virginia University, where he began his collegiate football career as a defensive back. From 1994 to 1999, 6-foot-185-pound Charles recorded 67 total tackles (54 solo), 13 pass breakups, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, a sack, and a touchdown. In 1996, Charles played on the nation's best defense, and, in 1998, led the Mountaineers in pass breakups and was sixth in the Big East in interceptions. His honors in 1998 included All-Big East Second Team, the Scott Shirley Award for the WVU Special Teams Player of the Year, and selection to play in the 1999 Delchamps Senior Bowl. Charles played in four bowl games during his tenure at WVU.