When the Chargers announced their team captains earlier in the week, a couple of names stuck out in a big way.
A pair of rising stars, Daiyan Henley and Joe Alt, will be donning the "C" on their chest for the first time in their NFL career in 2025.
It's a big nod to their development and growth in their young careers, plus is a nod to the way they've been able to make a substantial impact early on.
And it's an honor that has motivated them even more heading into the new season.
"Just to be nominated and voted as the captain just makes me feel all that much more appreciated around here and makes me want to go that much harder," Henley said on Friday. "Just want to drive and motivate the guys as much as I try to motivate myself and start bringing that energy for everybody."
Alt added: "It's an honor to be chosen by your teammates to lead. For me, my focus is just to continue to do what I've been doing and lead by example to the best of my ability."
Check out the best photos from practice on Thursday at The Bolt in El Segundo!
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
For Alt, it's been a rapid rise since coming in as a rookie last season and immediately becoming one of the better young tackles in the league.
He's shown his strides in his first full offseason as well as coaches and teammates have praised his growth on and off the field.
But his voice has become even more important in 2025 following the season-ending injury of Rashawn Slater as he now moves to the left side of the line and carries a big voice for the rest of the unit and offense.
"You try to," Alt said. "Rashawn is a huge part of our room and he's that voice ... all five of us [starters] and the room, we know Rashawn is a huge voice for us. We just have to pick up that slack."
It's been a similar rise for Henley who, while not a rookie last season, was in his first full year as a starter in the middle of the Bolts defense.
Henley led the Chargers in tackles last season and was a big part of the league's best scoring defense playing in every game.
And after just one season manning the position full-time, he's naturally grown into one of the team's most infectious leaders while wearing the green dot and quarterbacking the defense.
"He's a guy that has certainly earned that role I would say," Chargers Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter said on Friday. "Another guy that was here a ton throughout the whole offseason. I thought he really started to become that guy towards the middle to latter part of last year. I think the guys saw that."
Minter later added: "Super excited about Daiyan, very happy and proud of him for getting that honor. I think it's a huge honor when your teammates elect you captain."
Henley said he's been fortunate enough to learn from players like Khalil Mack, Derwin James, Jr., Justin Herbert and Denzel Perryman about the ways they lead, taking a little bit from each.
Nothing will change from the approach to it all, however, as they're both looking forward to continuing to uphold their standard with the regular season just a week away.
"I feel like if you're going to be a leader, a good one at that, guys will naturally follow what you do," Henley said. "The only way to be that natural leader is to do things the right way and consistently do things the right way. I was just preparing myself by being the same person I am always, high motivated, highly driven and trying to remain consistent.
"It took its time, I wasn't pressing for it, but I'm just happy to be," Henley added. "It's my teammates, and they chose me to be a captain so I'm happy to be there."
