University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Daniel Jackson Wins The 2026 Dick Howser Trophy
June 12, 2026 | Baseball
Second Bulldog In Three Years To Take Home Award
OMAHA, NEB.----- University of Georgia All-America catcher Daniel Jackson has been named the 2026 Dick Howser Trophy winner as the nation's top Division I baseball player, it was announced Friday live on the MLB Network from Charles Schwab Stadium, site of the College World Series.
Jackson, the 2026 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year and Triple Crown winner, is one of just three players (and first catcher) in NCAA Division I history to have at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season. He is the second Bulldog in the past three seasons (Charlie Condon, 2024) to win the award presented by The Game Headwear and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Jackson is the 39th recipient of the trophy and the second Bulldog in school history to take home the award. It is considered the baseball equivalent of the Heisman Trophy,
"Last night at dinner and then today I have had a chance to meet a lot of great people with the Dick Howser Trophy and how it's a family," said Jackson. "I really appreciate the support and learning about the criteria for this award and about Dick Howser and his history. I'm very grateful for this award. I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. My father (Dan) has been at every one of my baseball games, and he's made a lof of sacrifices for me to be able to do what I do. My stepmom Brandi who has filled a big whole in my life, my sister Alex who is a lot cooler than I am. I have a lot of support from my family and my coaches, Wes Johnson, the entire staff has always been in my corner. It has been incredible to be a part of this team at Georgia, the people, my teammates. Kolby Branch helped me tie my tie this morning, and that's kind of what we're all about. One of the happiest moments of my life was winning the super regional game and (pitcher) Justin Byrd jumping in my arms. I'm grateful for all of that."
Jackson, a 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., is batting .396 with 31 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. He ranks in the top five nationally in five offensive categories. He has helped the Bulldogs (51-12) advance to the College Worlds Series (CW) after sweeping the NCAA Athens Regional and Super Regional. The Bulldogs will face Texas in their CWS opener Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
"When I talk about Daniel Jackson and think about the Howser Trophy, he embodies those cornerstones of this award," said Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson. "We have this thing sometimes where we say it takes on guys with courage, and Daniel embodies that. You look at his leadership, the way he talks about his teammates, phenomenal leader and obviously his character on and off the field speaks for itself. You will not find a better recipient of the Dick Howser Trophy than Daniel Jackson, and I couldn't be happier for him and his family."
Jackson was named the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament as the Bulldogs claimed their first-ever SEC tournament title after capturing the regular season crown for the first time since 2008. In the five postseason games in Athens, he collected regional all-tournament honors and batted .450 (9-for-20) with a double, four home runs, seven RBI, and four walks. He provided the go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning in the super regional clinching win over Mississippi State.
The Dick Howser Trophy 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 and the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. 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.
The winner of the Dick Howser Trophy has his name inscribed on the permanent trophy, which is a bronze bust of Howser, Both the recipient and his school receive a special trophy to keep. The Howser Trophy was created in 1987. NCBWA membership includes writers, broadcasters and publicists. Designed to promote and publicize college baseball, it is the sport's only college media-related organization.
Jackson is a finalist for three other major awards including the Golden Spikes Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award. The winner of the Posey Award and the Bragan Award will be announced Saturday, June 13th, during a press conference at the CWS at 12:30 p.m. CT. The College Baseball Foundation (CBF) will announce the winners of seven awards (five players, two coaches) as part of the festivities at the CWS.
Meanwhile, fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award. Baseball fans can vote for Jackson on GoldenSpikesAward.com, now through June 28. The Golden Spikes Award recipient will be announced Monday, June 29th live on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET. Condon claimed the 2024 Golden Spikes Award.
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).
Jackson, the 2026 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year and Triple Crown winner, is one of just three players (and first catcher) in NCAA Division I history to have at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season. He is the second Bulldog in the past three seasons (Charlie Condon, 2024) to win the award presented by The Game Headwear and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). Jackson is the 39th recipient of the trophy and the second Bulldog in school history to take home the award. It is considered the baseball equivalent of the Heisman Trophy,
"Last night at dinner and then today I have had a chance to meet a lot of great people with the Dick Howser Trophy and how it's a family," said Jackson. "I really appreciate the support and learning about the criteria for this award and about Dick Howser and his history. I'm very grateful for this award. I wouldn't be able to do it by myself. My father (Dan) has been at every one of my baseball games, and he's made a lof of sacrifices for me to be able to do what I do. My stepmom Brandi who has filled a big whole in my life, my sister Alex who is a lot cooler than I am. I have a lot of support from my family and my coaches, Wes Johnson, the entire staff has always been in my corner. It has been incredible to be a part of this team at Georgia, the people, my teammates. Kolby Branch helped me tie my tie this morning, and that's kind of what we're all about. One of the happiest moments of my life was winning the super regional game and (pitcher) Justin Byrd jumping in my arms. I'm grateful for all of that."
Jackson, a 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., is batting .396 with 31 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 26 stolen bases. He ranks in the top five nationally in five offensive categories. He has helped the Bulldogs (51-12) advance to the College Worlds Series (CW) after sweeping the NCAA Athens Regional and Super Regional. The Bulldogs will face Texas in their CWS opener Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.
"When I talk about Daniel Jackson and think about the Howser Trophy, he embodies those cornerstones of this award," said Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson. "We have this thing sometimes where we say it takes on guys with courage, and Daniel embodies that. You look at his leadership, the way he talks about his teammates, phenomenal leader and obviously his character on and off the field speaks for itself. You will not find a better recipient of the Dick Howser Trophy than Daniel Jackson, and I couldn't be happier for him and his family."
Jackson was named the Most Valuable Player of the SEC Tournament as the Bulldogs claimed their first-ever SEC tournament title after capturing the regular season crown for the first time since 2008. In the five postseason games in Athens, he collected regional all-tournament honors and batted .450 (9-for-20) with a double, four home runs, seven RBI, and four walks. He provided the go-ahead two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning in the super regional clinching win over Mississippi State.
The Dick Howser Trophy 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 and the equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. 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.
The winner of the Dick Howser Trophy has his name inscribed on the permanent trophy, which is a bronze bust of Howser, Both the recipient and his school receive a special trophy to keep. The Howser Trophy was created in 1987. NCBWA membership includes writers, broadcasters and publicists. Designed to promote and publicize college baseball, it is the sport's only college media-related organization.
Jackson is a finalist for three other major awards including the Golden Spikes Award, the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award. The winner of the Posey Award and the Bragan Award will be announced Saturday, June 13th, during a press conference at the CWS at 12:30 p.m. CT. The College Baseball Foundation (CBF) will announce the winners of seven awards (five players, two coaches) as part of the festivities at the CWS.
Meanwhile, fan voting will again play a part in the Golden Spikes Award. Baseball fans can vote for Jackson on GoldenSpikesAward.com, now through June 28. The Golden Spikes Award recipient will be announced Monday, June 29th live on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET. Condon claimed the 2024 Golden Spikes Award.
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).
Players Mentioned
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