The 2026 collegiate baseball season will be remembered for a singular reason: Daniel Jackson, the Georgia Bulldogs' star catcher, has been named the SEC Player of the Year, cementing his place among the program's legends.
A Season Defined by Records
Jackson finished the year with a team‑high .394 batting average, smashing 27 home runs while driving in 77 runs. His 25 stolen bases paired with the same number of homers make him the sixth player in NCAA history — and the first catcher — to reach the 25‑25 milestone in a single season.
The accolade marks the third time a Georgia Bulldog has captured the SEC Player of the Year award, joining the ranks of Charlie Condon, who earned the honor in 2024, and Gordon Beckham, who won it back in 2008. Their legacies now converge in Jackson's historic campaign.
Bulldogs Gear Up for the SEC Tournament
Georgia closed the regular season with an impressive 43‑12 overall record and a 23‑7 mark in SEC play. The team will travel to Hoover, Alabama, to compete in the SEC Tournament, where Jackson's all‑around brilliance is expected to be a decisive factor.
Coach Chris Lemonis praised Jackson's impact, noting that the senior's combination of power, speed, and defensive skill has reshaped the Bulldogs' identity. 'He's the kind of player who changes the game with every at‑bat and every pitch,' Lemonis said.