University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Jackson Named National Position Player Of the Year By ABCA/Rawlings
June 22, 2026 | Baseball
ATHENS-----University of Georgia catcher Daniel Jackson has been named the 2026 Division I National Position Player of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings Sporting Goods, it was announced Monday.
A 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson posted one of the finest seasons in collegiate baseball history, winning the Dick Howser Trophy, the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and Bobby Bragan Slugger Award. Jackson became only the third player in Division 1 history (and the first catcher) to register at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season. Jackson led the nation in total bases (212) and runs scored (88) and finished second in hits (100), home runs (32) and RBI (87).
He was just the third player in Southeastern Conference history to capture the Triple Crown as he led the league with a .379 batting average, 32 home runs and a school record 87 RBI plus was 26-for-28 in stolen base attempts. He started 67 games including 57 behind the plate where he fielded .997.
Jackson 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. Also, Jackson was part of an offense that led the country with 179 home runs plus tallied 1,405 total bases, 611 runs scored and 583 RBI, all school records.
Jackson is the first Bulldog in school history to be named the National Position Player of the Year by ABCA/Rawlings since its inception in 1988. Since 2018, the ABCA has selected both a pitcher and a position player. Winners are named for NCAA Division I, II, III, the NAIA, junior college, and high school and chosen from the All-America First Teams. The ABCA/Rawlings D1 Pitcher of the Year was Jackson Flora (UC Santa Barbara, 12-0, 1.06 ERA, 133 strikeouts).
Also, Jackson is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, and the winner of that will be announced later this month. Fan can vote for the Golden Spikes Award on GoldenSpikesAward.com until June 28.
This prestigious award that 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).
A 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson posted one of the finest seasons in collegiate baseball history, winning the Dick Howser Trophy, the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and Bobby Bragan Slugger Award. Jackson became only the third player in Division 1 history (and the first catcher) to register at least 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a season. Jackson led the nation in total bases (212) and runs scored (88) and finished second in hits (100), home runs (32) and RBI (87).
He was just the third player in Southeastern Conference history to capture the Triple Crown as he led the league with a .379 batting average, 32 home runs and a school record 87 RBI plus was 26-for-28 in stolen base attempts. He started 67 games including 57 behind the plate where he fielded .997.
Jackson 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. Also, Jackson was part of an offense that led the country with 179 home runs plus tallied 1,405 total bases, 611 runs scored and 583 RBI, all school records.
Jackson is the first Bulldog in school history to be named the National Position Player of the Year by ABCA/Rawlings since its inception in 1988. Since 2018, the ABCA has selected both a pitcher and a position player. Winners are named for NCAA Division I, II, III, the NAIA, junior college, and high school and chosen from the All-America First Teams. The ABCA/Rawlings D1 Pitcher of the Year was Jackson Flora (UC Santa Barbara, 12-0, 1.06 ERA, 133 strikeouts).
Also, Jackson is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, and the winner of that will be announced later this month. Fan can vote for the Golden Spikes Award on GoldenSpikesAward.com until June 28.
This prestigious award that 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
C/OF
/ BaseballWednesday, June 17
Wednesday, June 17
Monday, June 15
Sunday, June 14