Nebraska’s Dylan Carey Named Brooks Wallace Award Winner as Nation’s Top Shortstop

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Senior Dylan Carey of Nebraska has been named the recipient of the 2026 Brooks Wallace Award, it was announced by the College Baseball Foundation on Saturday.

The award annually honors the nation's top shortstop, based on combined offensive and defensive performance. It is named for former Texas Tech shortstop Brooks Wallace, who played for the Red Raiders from 1977 to 1980. Wallace died of leukemia at the age of 27.

The Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award was first awarded in 2004. Prior to 2009, the award recognized the National Player of the Year. Carey became the second Cornhusker to win the award, joining Alex Gordon, who won the honor as the national player of the year in 2005.

Roch Cholowsky of UCLA, the 2025 Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year, was a finalist for this year’s award. Other 2026 finalists included junior Carson Kerce, Georgia Tech, sophomore Chris Ramirez, California Baptist and junior Jake Schaffner, North Carolina.

On behalf of the entire Wallace family and the Brooks Wallace Award committee, we are excited and proud to have Dylan as our choice for this distinguished award,” Brooks Wallace Award Chair Larry Wallace said. “Not only did Dylan have an outstanding year on the field, but he showed the kind of character and leadership abilities off the field that we look for in our candidates. Brooks would be impressed by the type of young man that Dylan is. Welcome to our family!”

The 2026 Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year was announced at a press conference on Saturday, June 13, in the media room at Charles Schwab Field, prior to the start of the second day of action at the MCWS.

“Winning the Brooks Wallace Award is something I’ll never forget,” Carey said. “I’m extremely grateful knowing the history behind this award and who it honors. I’m forever grateful for my time in the Nebraska baseball program. The coaches, teammates, and fans have played a huge role in shaping me into the player and person I am today. Above all, I thank Jesus Christ for His faithfulness and for blessing me with these opportunities. Through every high and low, He has been my foundation. This award isn’t just mine, it’s shared with everyone who has supported, challenged, and believed in me along the way. I’m forever grateful. God Bless!”

One of the most accomplished hitters in Nebraska history, Carey became the ninth Husker to reach 200 career hits, 150 runs, and 150 RBI, while also setting the program’s all-time record for doubles. Carey was one of Nebraska’s most reliable offensive leaders, batting .353 with a .622 slugging percentage. The Castle Rock, Colorado native, netted 16 doubles, two triples, and 15 home runs, while posting a team-leading 14 multi-RBI games to go along with 65 RBI and 53 runs scored. He also has recorded 26 multi-hit games. The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team All-Big Ten selection, he sported a .981 fielding percentage with just four errors on the season. He also played a key role in turning 27 double plays.

“Dylan’s relentless daily approach in his preparation, leadership and competitiveness is everything you want in a college baseball player,” Nebraska Head Baseball Coach Will Bolt said. “What makes Dylan special goes beyond the numbers and the accolades. He represents this program the right way, on and off the field, and our guys look up to him for it. Nebraska baseball is incredibly proud of him, and this award couldn’t have gone to a better person.”

Other winners of 2026 College Baseball Foundation affiliated awards include Daniel Jackson, Georgia (Buster Posey Award, Dick Howser Trophy, Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award), Jackson Flora, UCSB (Pitcher of the Year), Evan Dempsey (John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year) John Savage, UCLA (Skip Bertman Coach of the Year) and Gene Stephenson, Wichita State (Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence).

As part of CBF’s new partnership with Lamar Advertising, Carey and all 2026 award winners will be recognized with custom congratulatory digital signage near the location of the award winner’s institution and hometown as well as other markets throughout the nation. The digital recognition will run for two weeks, beginning on Sunday, June 14.

For more information on the Brooks Wallace Award, visit the College Baseball Foundation website at www.collegebaseballhall.org.

Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award Recipients

Name, Position, Class, School

2026 – Dylan Carey, SS, Senior, Nebraska

2025 – Roch Cholowsky, SS, Sophomore, UCLA

2024 – Griff O’Ferrall, SS, Junior, Virginia

2023 – Matt Shaw, SS, Junior, Maryland

2022 – Brooks Lee, SS, Junior, Cal Poly

2021 – Cal Conley, SS, RS-Freshman, Texas Tech

2020 – Not Awarded (season suspended)

2019 – Grae Kessinger, SS, Junior, Ole Miss

2018 – Cadyn Grenier, SS, Junior, Oregon State

2017 – Logan Warmoth, SS, Junior, North Carolina

2016 – Sheldon Neuse, SS, Junior, Oklahoma

2015 – Dansby Swanson, SS, Junior, Vanderbilt

2014 – Trea Turner, SS, Junior, NC State

2013 – Alex Bregman, SS, Freshman, LSU

2012 – Zach Vincej, SS, Junior, Pepperdine

2011 – Brad Miller, SS, Junior, Clemson

2010 – Jedd Gyorko, SS, Junior, West Virginia

2009 – Ben Orloff, SS, Senior, UC Irvine

2008 – Buster Posey, C, Junior, Florida State

2007 – David Price, SP, Junior, Vanderbilt

2006 – Brad Lincoln, SP/DH, Junior, Houston

2005 – Alex Gordon, 3B, Junior, Nebraska

2004 – Kurt Suzuki, C, Junior, Cal State Fullerton

The CBF presents the Brooks Wallace Award (Nation’s Most Outstanding Shortstop), the Pitcher of the Year Award, the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award, the Skip Bertman Coach of the Year Award, presented by Marucci, the Wayne Graham Award for Teaching Excellence, and the George H.W. Bush Distinguished Alumnus Award, presented by Rawlings. The CBF also works in collaboration with the Dick Howser Trophy, the Buster Posey Award, presented by Hasty Awards (nation’s top catcher) and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award.