University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Conor Dillon/UGAAA
Daniel Jackson Caps Awards Sweep, Wins Golden Spikes
June 29, 2026 | Baseball
NEW YORK, N.Y.-----University of Georgia junior catcher Daniel Jackson completed a historic sweep of national awards after being named the 2026 Golden Spikes Award recipient, during a live broadcast on MLB Network Monday.
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. Jackson becomes Georgia's second winner in a three-year span, joining Charlie Condon in 2024 after his record-setting season. Georgia is the only school to ever have a pair of winners in a three-year period.
A 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson 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. Jackson led the nation in total bases (212) and runs (88) while ranking second in home runs (32) and RBI (87). He was just the third player in history to capture the SEC Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average (.379), home runs (32) and RBI (school record 87) plus had an SEC-best 1.276 OPS. Also, he went 26-for-28 in stolen base attempts.
Jackson, a consensus First Team All-America selection, 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.
Jackson claimed three major awards while in Omaha during the CWS earlier this month. Jackson received the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy as the nation's top Division 1 player, the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award. The other two finalists for the Golden Spikes Award were Roch Cholowsky (UCLA, SS) and Landon Hairston (Arizona State, OF).
When asked on Monday's awards show telecast what took his game to another level in 2026, Jackson replied, "I think it was just focusing on the dedication, being ultra focused on everything, the hitting, the defense and to master the mental game as much as possible, to keep the belief and confidence in myself."
MLB's Harold Reynolds asked Jackson during Monday's show if he was surprised, he won the award over the other two finalists. Jackson said, "both of those guys had incredible years, I've been sweating it out the last hour or so to be honest. These guys are incredible guys, and I've been able to hang out with them the last couple of days. I'm very grateful."
After Georgia's final game at the College World Series, Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson summed up Jackson's tremendous year by saying the Bulldogs don't make it Omaha without him.
"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, a guy ends up with – he's 25 (HR)-25 (SB) over that," said Johnson. He's the catcher, ends up with 32 home runs and hits .379 with 26 stolen bases."
Monday's announcement comes following two days of festivities in New York City celebrating the three finalists for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award. The finalists participated in a series of events recognizing their achievements on and off the field, including a welcome dinner, a visit to MLB headquarters with Commissioner Rob Manfred and its Player Engagement team, and a PLAY BALL event at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in Bronx, New York. The weekend provided an opportunity to celebrate the finalists' accomplishments while highlighting their commitment to growing the game and inspiring the next generation of baseball players.
Georgia is the seventh school in Golden Spikes Award history to have multiple winners, joining Florida State (four), Arizona State (three), Cal State Fullerton (three), Arkansas (two), LSU (two), and San Diego State (two) on the list.
"Daniel Jackson put together a historic season that was so exciting to watch," said USA Baseball President John Gall. "He is an incredible ambassador of the game, both on and off the field, and is greatly deserving of this honor. We are excited for Daniel to join our incredible family of Golden Spikes Award winners and look forward to celebrating his special season."
Jackson has exemplified an overall positive contribution to the sport and has made an impact in the Athens, Georgia, community by spending time volunteering at ESP (Extra Special People)/Miracle League games outside of the season. Last summer he received the Daniel J. Silva Sportsmanship Award, which is annually given to the Cape Cod League's player who shows true class on and off the field, while playing in the League.
Jackson along with his several of his Bulldog teammates are now preparing the 2026 MLB Draft, The two-day event will be held July 11-12 in Philadelphia as part of MLB's All-Star Weekend. The first day of the draft will feature four rounds starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, rounds five through 20 will be held.
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).
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. Jackson becomes Georgia's second winner in a three-year span, joining Charlie Condon in 2024 after his record-setting season. Georgia is the only school to ever have a pair of winners in a three-year period.
A 6-2, 200-pound native of Sandy Springs, Ga., Jackson 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. Jackson led the nation in total bases (212) and runs (88) while ranking second in home runs (32) and RBI (87). He was just the third player in history to capture the SEC Triple Crown, leading the league in batting average (.379), home runs (32) and RBI (school record 87) plus had an SEC-best 1.276 OPS. Also, he went 26-for-28 in stolen base attempts.
Jackson, a consensus First Team All-America selection, 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.
Jackson claimed three major awards while in Omaha during the CWS earlier this month. Jackson received the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy as the nation's top Division 1 player, the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award. The other two finalists for the Golden Spikes Award were Roch Cholowsky (UCLA, SS) and Landon Hairston (Arizona State, OF).
When asked on Monday's awards show telecast what took his game to another level in 2026, Jackson replied, "I think it was just focusing on the dedication, being ultra focused on everything, the hitting, the defense and to master the mental game as much as possible, to keep the belief and confidence in myself."
MLB's Harold Reynolds asked Jackson during Monday's show if he was surprised, he won the award over the other two finalists. Jackson said, "both of those guys had incredible years, I've been sweating it out the last hour or so to be honest. These guys are incredible guys, and I've been able to hang out with them the last couple of days. I'm very grateful."
After Georgia's final game at the College World Series, Georgia's Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson summed up Jackson's tremendous year by saying the Bulldogs don't make it Omaha without him.
"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, a guy ends up with – he's 25 (HR)-25 (SB) over that," said Johnson. He's the catcher, ends up with 32 home runs and hits .379 with 26 stolen bases."
Monday's announcement comes following two days of festivities in New York City celebrating the three finalists for the 2026 Golden Spikes Award. The finalists participated in a series of events recognizing their achievements on and off the field, including a welcome dinner, a visit to MLB headquarters with Commissioner Rob Manfred and its Player Engagement team, and a PLAY BALL event at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in Bronx, New York. The weekend provided an opportunity to celebrate the finalists' accomplishments while highlighting their commitment to growing the game and inspiring the next generation of baseball players.
Georgia is the seventh school in Golden Spikes Award history to have multiple winners, joining Florida State (four), Arizona State (three), Cal State Fullerton (three), Arkansas (two), LSU (two), and San Diego State (two) on the list.
"Daniel Jackson put together a historic season that was so exciting to watch," said USA Baseball President John Gall. "He is an incredible ambassador of the game, both on and off the field, and is greatly deserving of this honor. We are excited for Daniel to join our incredible family of Golden Spikes Award winners and look forward to celebrating his special season."
Jackson has exemplified an overall positive contribution to the sport and has made an impact in the Athens, Georgia, community by spending time volunteering at ESP (Extra Special People)/Miracle League games outside of the season. Last summer he received the Daniel J. Silva Sportsmanship Award, which is annually given to the Cape Cod League's player who shows true class on and off the field, while playing in the League.
Jackson along with his several of his Bulldog teammates are now preparing the 2026 MLB Draft, The two-day event will be held July 11-12 in Philadelphia as part of MLB's All-Star Weekend. The first day of the draft will feature four rounds starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. On Sunday, rounds five through 20 will be held.
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
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