Signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2005 NFL Draft choosing the San Francisco 49ers over offers from 5 other teams. After training camp was placed on the practice squad for the 2005-2006 season. Allocated to NFL Europe during the off-season. Upon his return, Scharff spent the 2006-2007 training camp with the 49ers. Scharff was waived at the conclusion of training camp and promptly signed by the New Orleans Saints.
Allocated to NFL Europe by the San Francisco 49ers on January 11, 2006. Started all 10 games at defensive end for the Hamburg Sea Devils. Led all players in NFL Europe with 6.0 sacks. Honored by being named First Team All-NFL Europe for his performance during the 2006 season.
New Orleans Saints
Was obtained off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers. He was placed on the practice squad for the majority of the 2006-2007 season. On November 29, 2006 was elevated to the 53-man active roster for week 12 vs the 49ers. Suffered a season ending knee injury during practice later that same day. Underwent reconstructive surgery and was placed on the injured reserve for the remainder of the season. After spending the off-season rehabilitating the injury, Scharff was re-signed to the team for the 2007-2008 season. He was released by the Saints at the end of training camp.
College career
Stanford University
Scharff played college football at Stanford where he was a three-time letter winner and team co-captain. While at Stanford, Scharff majored in Sociology with a concentration in Business, Organizations, and Economics with a minorin Public Policy.
Was a backup defensive tackle who played in 10 of 11 games and lettered for the second-consecutive season. He provided the Cardinal with a quality defensive tackle coming off the bench. Scharff had 8.0 tackles, 2.0 fumble recoveries, and 1.0 blocked kick. Missed one game after sustaining a torn ACL, MCL, and Meniscus in his left knee. Despite the injury, Scharff finished out the season, playing the final five games in a brace, and underwent arthroscopic ACL surgery at the conclusion of the 2003 season.
2002
Earned his first varsity letter as a backup defensive tackle. He played in all 11 games and started one game against Arizona State. Scharff accounted for 9.0 tackles, including 5.0 solos, 1.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sacks.
2001
Appeared in three games as a reserve defensive lineman - vs. Arizona State, vs. UCLA and at Arizona. He recorded one tackle in Stanford's 51-28 victory over Arizona State on Sept. 22.