Daniel Jackson, a sophomore from Sandy Springs, Georgia, is a catcher and right fielder for Georgia baseball. He recently transferred from Wofford after his freshman season, where he was named a second-team Freshman All-American.
With a name nearly identical to Georgia football defensive back Dan Jackson, Daniel is making a name for himself in Athens this season. He’s batting .265 with 18 hits, 19 RBIs and eight home runs, including a walk-off home run against Auburn.
Below is Madison Hawthorne’s recent one-on-one interview with Daniel Jackson. Comments edited for length and clarity.
Q: What’s it like sharing a name similar to that of a former Georgia football player? Have you ever been mistaken for him?
A: I’ve not been mistaken for him, but I do love sharing the name. It was pretty cool because, obviously, I got to watch him during football season doing his thing and it was pretty cool. Once I hit my first home run, it turned into Dan Jackson University, and that was pretty cool.
Q: How has the transfer portal impacted college baseball and did it influence your decision to transfer to Georgia?
A: (Growing) up as a Georgia guy, I’m from North Atlanta. Georgia was always my dream school, so it (was a) pretty easy decision for me. As far as the transfer portal goes, I think it really changes baseball a ton. (For) guys like myself who start out at a smaller school, (it) makes it really easy for them to go somewhere bigger.
Q: Who have you leaned on for guidance on the team since transferring, and what advice did you receive?
A: Two of the main guys that have helped me out (are) Nolan McCarthy and Henry Hunter. Henry being the older catcher, I spent a lot of time with him, and he’s been a ton of help. He transferred too from UAB a couple of years ago. They kind of help me a lot with my mentality, how to go about things, and how to be an SEC ball player.
Q: What’s the pressure like being a sophomore and having to step up in these huge moments with more experienced players around you?
A: Honestly, I don’t feel that way. When you have so many great players and teammates around you, it honestly takes a lot of pressure off because you don’t feel like you have to be the one to get the job done. Obviously, you want to be the guy who helps your team win, but if you maybe fail or don’t get the job done, you have eight other guys in the lineup who are going to pick you up.
Q: How has the transition been moving from catcher to right field, and were you familiar with the outfield before this season?
A: This has been my very first year playing right field, and honestly, it’s been pretty exciting because I like to play multiple positions, move around and feel athletic. The first couple (of) weeks, I definitely wasn’t as comfortable in rightfield, but now I feel pretty confident and I like it there.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge for you this season?
A: The biggest challenge, I would say, is just doing everything I can to help my team win. I feel like that’s a challenge everyone faces every day, trying to win your personal battles (and to) be the best version of yourself you can.
Q: What’s been your favorite memory at Georgia so far?
A: I think definitely my favorite memory so far is (the) walk-off home run versus Auburn. It was (a) very emotional game, down by two, going to the bottom of the ninth. All the guys before me, getting the job done, putting me in that position was exciting to watch. I was on deck when Nolan hit that ball (after) the pitcher threw it away, big emotional swing, thecrowd (was) super loud. Then, I got (to) hit that ball and win the game.
Q: What goals are you hoping to achieve at Georgia?
A: I (want to) win a national championship. I think that would just be super special. That’s the ultimate goal. I think that would be an insane moment for all of us. After you spend a year with all these guys, you (are) with each other every day (and) that’s just like the best thing you possibly do. I (also) want to get drafted.
Q: How has your passion for sports influenced your decision to major in sports management?
A: That would definitely be the first option if baseball (doesn’t) work out. I want to be involved in sports. I really feel like that’s what I’m the best at, when it comes to my skill sets. I’ve been playing baseball my whole life, so it’s definitely what I want to pursue.
Q: What is your go-to celebration when you get a hit, and how did it start?
A: The go-to celebration is definitely the rhino horn right now. It kind of just started (because we) got some big guys on the team, and someone (got called) a rhino one day, and it kind of just stuck, and it was kind of fun. I called Slate Alford an absolute rhinoceros, and everyone thought it was pretty funny.
