Plenty of thoughts went through the minds of Damon Burton and David Onyemem (Dracut, Mass./Central Catholic) when they prepared to leave behind successful high school football careers to play at the next level.

It is safe to say that being a proud member of the self-anointed "Prospect Boys" was not bouncing around in their heads.

Burton remained in his native New York to play at Albany while Onyemem played only a couple of hours away from his Dracut, Mass. home when he suited up at Bryant University. With undergraduate degrees in hand, they opted to head to Connecticut for a journey that resulted in a change of positions and memories to last a lifetime.

With a need at the inside linebacker position, defensive coordinator Matt Scott and the rest of the defensive staff made the decision to move the two graduate transfers to a position that neither had played before.

It proved to be a brilliant decision.

Onyemem leads the 6-2 Chargers with 53 tackles to go with a pair of fumble recoveries while Burton is the team leader with four interceptions and is challenging Onyemem for the team lead in tackles heading into the 2022 home finale against Franklin Pierce.

"Him and I both bring a tenacious attitude to the game of football to the game of football," Onyemem said. "We both want to be great at what we do. On top of us having a strong bond and us learning the scheme together, we are also very critical of each other. We hold each other accountable and make sure we are doing things to the best of our ability at all times. We hold ourselves to a certain standard and we hold each other to a certain standard."

When they arrived on campus in January, the sense of uncertainty was eased by Burton and Onyemem not only becoming teammates, graduate school classmates but also roommates.

Along with defensive lineman Mazon Walker (Huber Heights, Ohio/Anthony Wayne) and receiver Terrell Ford (Tonawanda, N.Y./Kenmore West), they live together in Prospect and not long after moving in, the Prospect Boys nickname stuck.

"We moved in back in January and it kind if clicked quickly," Burton said. "We have the same mindset. Over the summer we played basketball and we created chemistry there, we work out together, and we played video games. Overall, it became where I trust him and he trusts me and now we just play a lot faster because I know he has my back."

Burton has another year of eligibility. However, Saturday's game will be the final home game for Onyemem as well as some of the key players for a New Haven team that can secure a share of the Northeast-10 title by beating Franklin Pierce and Southern Connecticut State in the final two games of the season.

"It is kind of sad and exciting moment because I am not going to be able to play with my brothers because this is their last season,"

Burton said "It is also exciting because I am excited for their journey and what happens next with their career."

When they arrived on campus, they were eager to experience postseason football, along with the returning players from the 2021 New Haven team that received a bid into the NCAA Division II playoffs. Heading into the homestretch, the importance of these last two games isn't lost. 

"I am just cherishing it and realizing how far I have come and how far I still have to go," Onyemem said. "It is a blessing to play the game every day. Nothing is guaranteed, so I am really blessed that I can really play this game. With the two or more games that we have left, it is about taking it in and enjoying the moment.

"I will probably be emotional walking out for the last home game. We have come a long way since January when I got here so it will be emotional for me and the other guys as well. I am looking to embrace it, take it all in and use that emotion to fuel and dominate."

Burton and Onyemem have a mutual friend so they did have some interaction before arriving on campus in January. However, over the last year, their friendship has blossomed thanks to shared experiences on the football field, in the weight room, in meeting rooms, in the classroom and during those rides to and from Prospect.

"We come in as new guys in a new school and we were going into a situation where we only knew each other in the beginning," Burton said. "Having somebody who was in a similar situation, an older guy coming into a new program and a new team, it made me feel comfortable that somebody had my back who I could trust out there.

"We all have the same struggles, we have the same homework. We live together so we drive together and the long drives home from class and practice so our friendship grows, our brotherhood grows and we get closer every day."

While time is ticking away on his college career, Onyemem is not ready to walk away from football just yet.

"My pursuit of the NFL, that dream is still intact so that is what I am focused on right now," Onyemem said. "I want to try to dominate for the rest of the season and see where that takes me in terms of the next level so it is all in God's hands."