Georgia’s Daniel Jackson wins Golden Spikes Award

Staff Reports

ATHENS, GA.—–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.”

When asked by MLB’s Harold Reynolds  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.”

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.