University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Daniel Jackson Named D1Baseball Player Of The Year
June 25, 2026 | Baseball
Bulldog Trio Earns All-American Honors
ATHENS, GA.-----University of Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson has been named the 2026 D1Baseball.com Player of the Year, it was announced recently.
He was selected after having a "historic individual season that culminated with a trip to the College World Series semifinals…and assembled the most well-rounded stat line in college baseball while also starting 57 of Georgia's 67 games at the demanding backstop position," according to Aaron Fitt, managing editor of D1Baseball.com.
A 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson led the nation in total bases (212) and runs (88) while ranking second in home runs (32) and RBI (87). He became one of only three players (and first catcher) in Division 1 history to post a season with at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases. He was just the third player in history to capture the SEC Triple Crown, leading the league with a .379 batting average, 32 home runs and school record 87 RBI plus had an SEC-best 1.276 OPS. Also, "he showcased his uncommon athleticism by stealing 26 bases in 28 tries," Fitt added.
While in Omaha (Neb.) during the College World Series, Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson said, "you know, if you think about it, it will go down as one of the best single-season performances in the history of our game."
Additionally, Jackson made the D1Baseball.com First Team All-America team while Bulldog junior third baseman Tre Phelps was selected to their Third Team. A 6-2, 197-pound native of Atlanta, Phelps was named a First Team All-America by the ABCA, College Baseball Foundation and NCBWA. He batted .358 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI in 65 starts plus finished second nationally with a school record 35 HPB.
Jackson, a consensus First Team All-America selection, along with Phelps helped the Bulldogs set a school record for wins
in 2026 as they finished 53-14 and tied for third at the College World Series (CWS). For the first time since 2008, Georgia returned to the CWS plus won the SEC regular season title and claimed the school's first SEC Tournament title.
D1Baseball's editors and national writers determined the Player of the Year and All-America teams based on 2026 performance, taking into consideration statistical production, league context, defensive value and postseason impact.
In related All-America news this week, Jackson and Phelps headlined the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) All-America team as selected by the CBF award committee members. Jackson and Phelps made the First Team while Georgia redshirt junior pitcher Justin Byrd made Honorable Mention. Byrd, a 6-2, 203-pound native of Bogart, Ga., went 6-2 with a 3.73 ERA and eight saves. In 62.2 innings pitched, he tallied 77 strikeouts and only 14 walks.
Jackson, who captured three major awards while in Omaha last week, is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Fans can vote for him on GoldenSpikesAward.com until this Sunday.
The Golden Spikes Award goes to the nation's top amateur baseball player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability, exemplary sportsmanship and character, and an overall positive contribution to the sport. In 2024, Charlie Condon became
Georgia's first winner of the Golden Spikes Award after a record-setting season. The 48th Golden Spikes Award will be presented on Monday, June 29 on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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).
He was selected after having a "historic individual season that culminated with a trip to the College World Series semifinals…and assembled the most well-rounded stat line in college baseball while also starting 57 of Georgia's 67 games at the demanding backstop position," according to Aaron Fitt, managing editor of D1Baseball.com.
A 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson led the nation in total bases (212) and runs (88) while ranking second in home runs (32) and RBI (87). He became one of only three players (and first catcher) in Division 1 history to post a season with at least 30 home runs and 25 stolen bases. He was just the third player in history to capture the SEC Triple Crown, leading the league with a .379 batting average, 32 home runs and school record 87 RBI plus had an SEC-best 1.276 OPS. Also, "he showcased his uncommon athleticism by stealing 26 bases in 28 tries," Fitt added.
While in Omaha (Neb.) during the College World Series, Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson said, "you know, if you think about it, it will go down as one of the best single-season performances in the history of our game."
Additionally, Jackson made the D1Baseball.com First Team All-America team while Bulldog junior third baseman Tre Phelps was selected to their Third Team. A 6-2, 197-pound native of Atlanta, Phelps was named a First Team All-America by the ABCA, College Baseball Foundation and NCBWA. He batted .358 with 19 home runs and 59 RBI in 65 starts plus finished second nationally with a school record 35 HPB.
Jackson, a consensus First Team All-America selection, along with Phelps helped the Bulldogs set a school record for wins
in 2026 as they finished 53-14 and tied for third at the College World Series (CWS). For the first time since 2008, Georgia returned to the CWS plus won the SEC regular season title and claimed the school's first SEC Tournament title.
D1Baseball's editors and national writers determined the Player of the Year and All-America teams based on 2026 performance, taking into consideration statistical production, league context, defensive value and postseason impact.
In related All-America news this week, Jackson and Phelps headlined the College Baseball Foundation (CBF) All-America team as selected by the CBF award committee members. Jackson and Phelps made the First Team while Georgia redshirt junior pitcher Justin Byrd made Honorable Mention. Byrd, a 6-2, 203-pound native of Bogart, Ga., went 6-2 with a 3.73 ERA and eight saves. In 62.2 innings pitched, he tallied 77 strikeouts and only 14 walks.
Jackson, who captured three major awards while in Omaha last week, is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Fans can vote for him on GoldenSpikesAward.com until this Sunday.
The Golden Spikes Award goes to the nation's top amateur baseball player who best exhibits exceptional on-field ability, exemplary sportsmanship and character, and an overall positive contribution to the sport. In 2024, Charlie Condon became
Georgia's first winner of the Golden Spikes Award after a record-setting season. The 48th Golden Spikes Award will be presented on Monday, June 29 on MLB Network at 7:30 p.m. ET.
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
Wednesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, June 15
Sunday, June 14