The first day of the 2026 MLB Draft turned into a celebration for the University of Georgia, as three of its standout players heard their names called among the early selections. Catcher Daniel Jackson was selected 37th overall by the Colorado Rockies, pitcher Joey Volchko followed at 77th by the Chicago White Sox, and outfielder Rylan Lujo went 109th to the Los Angeles Angels.
Jackson’s Historic Achievements
Jackson capped his collegiate career with a suite of national awards, including the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy, the Buster Posey Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award and the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award. He led the SEC with a .379 batting average, 32 home runs and 87 RBIs, and became the first catcher in school history to hit at least 25 home runs and steal 25 bases in a single season.
Volchko’s Rise in the Rotation
Volchko anchored the weekend rotation, finishing 11‑2 with a 3.68 ERA and tying for the conference lead in wins. His 15 strikeouts in a single College World Series game helped him earn a spot on the tournament’s All‑Team, underscoring his clutch performances on the biggest stage.
Lujo’s Promising Start
Freshman outfielder Rylan Lujo made an immediate impact, batting .358 and compiling 16 doubles, 14 home runs and 49 RBIs in his debut season. His all‑SEC first‑team selection highlighted a rookie campaign that bodes well for the Bulldogs’ future.
A Program at Its Peak
Georgia concluded the year with a school‑record 53 wins, capturing both the SEC regular‑season and tournament titles. The Bulldogs finished the season ranked No. 3 in the final national top‑25 poll, continuing a draft streak that has produced at least one selected player every year since 1987.
The draft’s later rounds, which ran through Sunday, left teams with until July 27 to finalize agreements with the newly chosen prospects, a timeline that will shape the next wave of talent entering professional baseball.