MADISON- Being new to a community can be a trying time for many youngsters facing new schools and new surroundings while looking to secure new friendships. For both D.J. Davenport and Terrance Salter, the experiences of being the newest “kids on the block” wound up being life-changing as the two became best friends, remain best of friends and will soon be college roommates as freshman football players at Campbellsville University, a private Christian school in Kentucky.

“We met while at football practice at Discovery Middle School and found out we lived near one another and we just sort of clicked as friends,” said Davenport. “Terrance is like a brother I never had.”

Their paths crossed arriving in Madison entering the seventh grade. Davenport came from Shreveport, Louisiana while Salter was from Andalusia, located as part of South Alabama in Covington County. The two joined the Madison community with their families due to work relationships.

“By the time we made it to eighth grade we were best friends and remain that way today,” added Salter.

Davenport, 5-foot-11, 175-pounds, completed his tenure at Bob Jones as a defensive back and played in two All-Star games after receiving offers to play in six All-Star format games. Salter, 5-8, 205 running back, looked to earn a scholarship much like Davenport and upon taking a visit to the Kentucky school was offered a place to play football alongside his best friend who already signed to the school. Both was named Class 7A All-Region Second Team selections. “The idea of both of us earning scholarships to the same school was not planned,” added Salter.

Both players began football early in their lives and the sport soon became their passion with great visions of one day playing college football. Davenport also ran track and played baseball while Salter made his way through both baseball and basketball before concentrating on the gridiron. After two good seasons at Discovery Middle School both players made the natural trek to Bob Jones as teammates and continued best friends.

At the Class 7A school the friends played for two different head coaches and weathered the storm of their team posting an overall record of 18-24 in their four years with the Patriots, including losing records the past three seasons. Through all the hardships they never waivered in their leadership and friendship. For both Davenport and Salter, it was an all or nothing attitude.

“My whole life I’ve been playing football and having Terrance as my best friend has been a great experience as we go through workouts together, hit the weight room together and help one another in the classroom and do homework together,” said Davenport. “We’ve even double dated.”

“That’s right. D.J. likes to play jokes, always smiling, smart, very confident and he’s a ladies’ man,” said Salter of Davenport who was chosen as the school’s Homecoming King this past school year. “I know one thing for sure, if I’m ever in trouble he’ll take up for me as I know he’s got my back.”

Davenport did work at Panera Bread Company at Bridgestreet, but chose to leave his work position so he could concentrate on his football workouts. Before he exited, he helped Salter obtain a job at the eatery where he still works several hours weekly saving money for his trek to college.

Through the recent years in Madison these two best friends have seen their families become close friends as well. The experiences seem to have helped mold the two student-athletes into well-round young men.

“Terrance is a cool guy, funny, kind of quiet, but a good leader,” said Davenport of his best friend. “Going to college with him and being his roommate will not change our friendship. We both keep our rooms at home very neat so that won’t be an issue once we arrive in Kentucky.”

“We tell each other everything as we live just three minutes apart,” added Salter.

The Tigers’ football program will soon kickoff pre-season workouts and the two freshmen hitting the field for workouts will be accompanied by great work ethic, hard work, tough as nails, great confidence and a closeness only a few have. For Davenport and Salter, making their next steps in life will be challenging but they’ll be together just as they have after first meeting on the football field.