University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Phelps and Jackson Named Semifinalists For The Howser Trophy
May 14, 2026 | Baseball
DALLAS, Texas – University of Georgia junior third baseman Tre Phelps and catcher Daniel Jackson are among the semifinalists for the 2026 Dick Howser Trophy, it was announced Thursday.
This prestigious award in college baseball has been given to the top player based on two rounds of national voting by NCBWA members since 1987. The Dick Howser Trophy Committee, in conjunction with the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, named the 48 semifinalists for the 2026 Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game headwear, on Thursday.
Phelps, a third baseman, and Jackson, a catcher, have helped lead fourth-ranked Georgia to a 41-11 mark and Southeastern Conference regular season title. They are two of the nation's most dynamic players and up for several awards.
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Phelps is batting .374 with 18 home runs and 52 RBI. He ranks second nationally with a school record 30 hit-by-pitches plus he is fifth nationally with 70 runs scored. Earlier this year, Phelps had a 27-game hitting streak, one game short of the school record. In SEC action, he is batting 342-6-20. Overall, Phelps has started 51 games including 43 at third base and eight at second base.
A native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson ranks in the top five nationally in home runs (25), total bases (166), RBI (74) and runs scored (71) while batting .384 with 24 stolen bases. In SEC action, he is batting .373 with nine home runs and 30 RBI. Jackson has started all 52 games this season including 42 at catcher and 10 as the designated hitter. Jackson aims to become just the sixth player (and first catcher) in NCAA Division 1 history to have 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season while only one player has ever had a 30-30 season.
This is the 39th year of the Dick Howser Trophy, and the 2026 finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 4. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network in a special national presentation at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) prior to the Friday, June 12, news conference in Omaha at 11 a.m. (EDT) in the Schwab Field Media Room before the first game of the historic 80th NCAA College World Series.
The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987. The trophy is regarded as baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage – all qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life. In 2024, Georgia's Charlie Condon earned the Dick Howser Trophy. Last season, Bulldogs Robbie Burnett and Ryland Zaborowski were semifinalists.
The SEC Champion Bulldogs close out the regular season on the road with a top five showdown at Auburn starting tonight. First pitch of the three-game series is at 8 pm ET and be available on the SEC Network and the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
This prestigious award in college baseball has been given to the top player based on two rounds of national voting by NCBWA members since 1987. The Dick Howser Trophy Committee, in conjunction with the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, named the 48 semifinalists for the 2026 Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game headwear, on Thursday.
Phelps, a third baseman, and Jackson, a catcher, have helped lead fourth-ranked Georgia to a 41-11 mark and Southeastern Conference regular season title. They are two of the nation's most dynamic players and up for several awards.
A native of Atlanta, Ga., Phelps is batting .374 with 18 home runs and 52 RBI. He ranks second nationally with a school record 30 hit-by-pitches plus he is fifth nationally with 70 runs scored. Earlier this year, Phelps had a 27-game hitting streak, one game short of the school record. In SEC action, he is batting 342-6-20. Overall, Phelps has started 51 games including 43 at third base and eight at second base.
A native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson ranks in the top five nationally in home runs (25), total bases (166), RBI (74) and runs scored (71) while batting .384 with 24 stolen bases. In SEC action, he is batting .373 with nine home runs and 30 RBI. Jackson has started all 52 games this season including 42 at catcher and 10 as the designated hitter. Jackson aims to become just the sixth player (and first catcher) in NCAA Division 1 history to have 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season while only one player has ever had a 30-30 season.
This is the 39th year of the Dick Howser Trophy, and the 2026 finalists will be announced on Thursday, June 4. The winner will be unveiled on MLB Network in a special national presentation at 10:30 a.m. (EDT) prior to the Friday, June 12, news conference in Omaha at 11 a.m. (EDT) in the Schwab Field Media Room before the first game of the historic 80th NCAA College World Series.
The Dick Howser Trophy, presented by The Game Headwear, is given in memory of the former Florida State University All-America shortstop and major league player and manager who died of brain cancer in 1987. The trophy is regarded as baseball's most prestigious award. Criteria for consideration of the trophy include performance on the field, leadership, moral character and courage – all qualities that were exemplified by Dick Howser's life. In 2024, Georgia's Charlie Condon earned the Dick Howser Trophy. Last season, Bulldogs Robbie Burnett and Ryland Zaborowski were semifinalists.
The SEC Champion Bulldogs close out the regular season on the road with a top five showdown at Auburn starting tonight. First pitch of the three-game series is at 8 pm ET and be available on the SEC Network and the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network.
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS: For the latest Georgia baseball news, visit www.georgiadogs.com and follow the Bulldogs on X (@BaseballUGA), Facebook (@GeorgiaBaseball) and Instagram (@baseballuga).
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