When he first got to Michigan in 2007, fifth-year senior center David Molk wasn’t sure what it meant to have his name on the captain’s wall inside Schembechler Hall.

He just knew it was a collection of people he one day wanted to be associated with.

On Sunday, that hope became reality when Molk, along with senior defensive tackle Mike Martin and senior tight end Kevin Koger were selected by their teammates to represent the Wolverines this season as team captains.

“When you walk in and go through the building you see that big wall of all the old captains -- and those guys are just well-respected,” Molk said Monday. “They’ve done great things in and outside of football, and it’s a good group to be a part of. And it’s something I knew I wanted to be a part of.”

Molk, Martin and Koger will become Michigan’s first trio of captains since 2003, and while all three responded to the news in different ways -- each said Monday that when they heard their names called, they were humbled and honored.

In Koger’s case, there was also a bit of shock.

“We were in the team meeting room, everybody voted, everybody got a ballot and voted -- I actually thought we were going to come back (Monday) and find out, but they left the room, counted them, came back in and told us,” said Koger, who wouldn’t reveal who he cast his vote for -- just that it wasn’t for himself. “It was sort of surprising. I didn’t expect it. … I was honored to get it and it took me by surprise.”

Martin, who said he’s always tried to model himself after former captain and defensive line standout Brandon Graham, echoed the statements of his fellow captains and classmates.

He also explained how it’s important for the entire senior class to continue to push the rest of the roster as it begins a new era of Michigan football under first-year coach Brady Hoke, explaining that the team needs more than just three captains to lead day in and day out.

“Coach has always said, if he has to lead every single day, then this team won’t be good,” Martin said. “He needs guys like the seniors and upperclassmen to (lead) and coach guys up.

“Coach can be looking at everyone at the same time. Coach guys up in between drills. Take them aside and tell them what they need to do to get better. That helps, it gives guys a different perspective on how to get better.”

In Molk, Martin and Koger, Hoke has three captains that have started a combined 72 career games.

Molk has seen three coaching staffs. Koger has managed to become one of the squad’s most respected players despite playing a position that was hardly used under former coach Rich Rodriguez. Martin has been asked to play a key role in a changing defensive scheme since his true freshman season and has been one of the few consistencies defensively for the Wolverines since 2008.

It’s a group that’s been through and seen a lot during their time - and one that Hoke says is a strong representation of the senior class as a whole.

“I think our players understand that our seniors will always be our leaders,” said Hoke, who said he will meet with his senior class each Sunday and Thursday and his captains periodically throughout the season. “And with Mike on defense, Kevin Koger and David Molk on offense -- all three have demonstrated an ability to lead. All three bring a lot to our football team - (both when) you look at the leadership roles that they’ll play and the roles they’ll have from a production standpoint.”

The captain’s wall just got larger by three names. Molk, Martin and Koger will forever be linked to the 2011 Michigan football team.

And now, the only unanswered question is how that link will look.

“(It's) a new team," Molk said. "A new season, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Nick Baumgardner covers Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at 734-623-2514, by email at nickbaumgardner@annarbor.com and followed on Twitter @nickbaumgardner.