Georgia’s Daniel Jackson Named Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year
WICHITA, Kan. – Junior Daniel Jackson of Georgia has been named the recipient of the 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award presented by Hasty Awards, it was announced by the Wichita Sports Commission on Saturday.
Created in 2000, the National Collegiate Catcher of the Year annually honors the nation’s top catcher, based on their offensive and defensive prowess. It is named after former Florida State catcher Buster Posey, who played for the Seminoles from 2007 to 2008. Posey continued his career in Major League Baseball playing for the San Francisco Giants from 2009 to 2021, winning three MLB World Series championships.
Daniel Jackson becomes the first Georgia Bulldog to win the award and the fifth winner from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) joining Brad Cresse, LSU; Jeremy Brown, Alabama; Edward Easley, Mississippi State; Mike Zunino, Florida; and Stuart Turner, Ole Miss. Jackson looks to become the fourth winner to also receive the Dick Howser Trophy in the same season joining Buster Posey, Florida State; Mike Zunino, Florida; and Adley Rutschman, Oregon State. Jackson also looks to become the third winner to win the College World Series in the same year joining Brad Cresse, LSU; and Kurt Suzuki, Cal State Fullerton.
It was certainly the year of the catcher, with our finalists combining for 110 HR’s, 343 RBI’s and providing strong reliability behind the plate on defense. One of the most impressive group of finalists in the 26-year history of the Buster Posey Award. It wasn’t an easy process for our voters” Kevin Jenks, President/CEO, Wichita Sports Commission.
The 2026 Buster Posey Award finalists included junior Jon Embury, Florida Gulf Coast; sophomore Chase Fralick, Auburn; junior Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech; and junior Carson Tinney, Texas a 2025 Buster Posey Award finalist.
The 2026 Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year was announced during the College Baseball Foundation press conference, Saturday, June 13 in the media room at Charles Schwab Field before the start of the second day of the Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Sandy Springs, Georgia native put together a remarkable season for the Bulldogs. The SEC Triple Crown winner lead the conference in batting average (.396), RBI’s (86), and home runs (31), while also leading the conference in OPS, runs, hits, and slugging percentage. The SEC Player of the Year is the first catcher and sixth player ever to join the 25/25 Club (25 homeruns/25 stolen bases). Joining Jeremy Morris, Florida State; Casey Child, Utah; Ryan Brunner, Northern Iowa; Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina. Currently sitting with 31 homeruns and 26 stolen bases, Jackson is looking to join J.D. Drew, Florida State as a member of the 30/30 Club.
Defensively, Jackson was just as impressive posting a .996 fielding percentage with only 2 errors on 546 chances, and throwing out 28.3% (15-53) of would-be base stealers. Along with winning the Buster Posey Award, Jackson, won the Dick Howser Trophy, Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award, and is a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Daniel Jackson on being named the winner of the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award presented by Hasty Awards. His excellence behind the plate and leadership on the field truly embody what this honor represents. Daniel Jackson, his coaches, and family are invited to Wichita
for the Buster Posey Award Ceremony, as part of the Greater Wichita Sports Banquet. Where he will be recognized for his accomplishments this season with the University of Georgia. The Greater Wichita Sports Banquet will be held at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown Wichita on Thursday, June 25.
About the Wichita Sports Commission
The Wichita Sports Commission is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization dedicated to celebrating and advancing sports as a vital part of our city’s culture and community life. Since 1997, our team of passionate sports advocates, community supporters, and event professionals has supported local talent, elevated sports initiatives, and helped build a thriving sports environment in Wichita. We collaborate with local leaders, organizations, and partners to create meaningful experiences, foster community pride, and highlight the unifying power of sports. The Sports Commission owns and operates five community annual events, including the Prairie Fire Race Series, Greater Wichita Sports Banquet featuring the Buster Posey National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, Wichita Corporate Challenge, and the annual Wichita Turkey Trot.
