Storrs — The news blind-sided Andreas Knappe.

It humbled him, too.

He never expected to be named one of four UConn football team captains. Especially since he's a relative newcomer to the sport, picking it up at the age of 18 in Denmark, his home country.

When coach Bob Diaco made the announcement during a team meeting Wednesday, Knappe greatly appreciated the honor.

"I'm very proud to be this," Knappe said during media day. "I couldn't help but be very surprised this morning when we were told how the votes turned out. For me, it's kind of the American dream. I haven't done this a lot. But I've worked hard to get where I am and then continued to work hard.

"It shows that you can go as far as you want to."

In a team vote, the Huskies selected Knappe, Julian Campenni, Marquise Vann and Andrew Adams as captains for the 2015 season.

Redshirt sophomore Junior Joseph fully backed the four selections.

"Every day they come with an attitude that it's their last go-around," Joseph said. "They bring the passion and energy every day. It wasn't a hard choice to vote for them. That's what our team needs."

The four Huskies fit the traits that Diaco is looking for in a captain.

"You're looking for class, mental toughness, physical toughness," Diaco said. "Now you paint this picture of these tough gentlemen. I'm looking for intellect. Not that everybody needs to be able to launch a missile into outer space. But somebody that's got some just general intelligence and football intelligence. You're looking for someone that's going to be a high-level producer in games.

"They should be able to win their individual matchups in most instances. ... Someone that's great at listening and also willing to lead and create that culture and help build to it and hold people accountable to it.

"If that's what the captains represent, then I think these four guys are great. The football family did a wonderful job selecting these four."

They share much in common.

They're all respected veterans, strong leaders, hard workers and good teammates. And they're all willing to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed.

"Whatever the team needs, I want to bring that," said Vann, a redshirt senior linebacker and a captain last year, too.

They're also determined to lead the program back to respectability. Coming off a two-win season, they have high expectations. The regular-season opener against Villanova is just a week away.

Every day during preseason camp, they've tried to be role models for their teammates.

"If you're doing the right things and practicing hard and bringing great energy, the rest of the team will do the same," said Adams, a redshirt senior strong safety.

Three of the captains anchor the defense while Knappe, a redshirt junior tackle, is the lone offensive player.

"The fact that we have three guys from defense is awesome," said Campenni, a redshirt senior defensive tackle. "We hope to do great things this year."

All four captains also all offer something different.

Adams gave a breakdown of each captain's leadership skills.

"Julian is more of a quiet guy, but his play on the field isn't quiet at all," Adams said. "He mostly leads by example. He's a dominant player on the field. Marquise is vocal. Guys look at him as a role model.

"I'm also great vocally, on and off the field. I also try to lead by example, too. And Andreas is not too outspoken but when something needs to be said, he's there to say it, and guys respect him and guys listen."

Entering a second season with Diaco at the helm, the captains agree there's been significant progress from last year.

Now it's up to them to help the Huskies prove it on the field. 

"We're moving in the right direction, working to get wins and working to improve," Vann said. "I definitely love what's going on right now."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe