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By Olivia Sayer
Georgia senior Corey Collins (6) celebrates his home run with redshirt sophomore Charlie Condon (24) during game two of the NCAA Athens Super Regional between NC State and Georgia at Foley Field in Athens, Georgia, on Sunday, June 9, 2024. Georgia won 11-2. (Photo/Mady Mertens; MadyMertensPhotography)
Kirby Smart is not the only coach in Athens dominating the recruiting trail. After pulling 18 players from the transfer portal last offseason, Wes Johnson continues to replenish Georgia baseball’s roster. The Bulldogs earned commitments from former Wofford catcher Daniel Jackson and former UNC Asheville INF/OF Robbie Burnett on Thursday.
With four-year starter Fernando Gonzalez out of eligibility, Jackson adds to a catching core that already includes Henry Hunter, a former UAB transfer that Johnson said has “a Navy SEAL work ethic.” The Bulldogs also have incoming freshman Caleb Daniel and Preston Bonn, who both have experience behind the plate.
Jackson brings power with his bat and consistency with his glove. The Georgia-native finished his freshman season at Wofford with 12 home runs, 69 RBIs and a .460 OBP. His .357 batting average would have been second-highest with the Bulldogs last season, three points above Corey Collins. In 56 games behind the plate, Jackson only committed one error.
“Playing for the home team,” Jackon said on an Instagram post announcing his decision. “Go Dawgs.”
Burnett also has a dangerous swing. Through three seasons with UNC Asheville, the rising senior has yet to bat under .300. Last season, the North Carolina-native finished with a .323 batting average and a .454 OBP. His 18 home runs in 2024 would have ranked third on Georgia behind Charlie Condon’s 37 and Collins’ 20.
“Excited for the next chapter,” Burnett posted on X/Twitter with a picture of the Georgia logo. “Go Dawgs.”
Jackson and Burnett are Johnson’s latest additions in a transfer portal class that already includes nine commits. With six of Georgia’s starting nine from last season either out of eligibility or expected to turn professional, Johnson will likely continue to use the transfer portal to replenish his roster.
“We have to continue to go out and recruit,” Johnson said after Georgia’s season-ending loss to NC State. “To continue to get good quality players in here that fit our ballpark and what we’re trying to do. If you do that, especially now with the way things go in the transfer portal and the different things, you should put yourself in a position every year to have success.”
Although Johnson relies on analytical models to find players that will help the Bulldogs succeed, he also got a good look at both of Georgia’s newest commits this past season.
During a midweek matchup in March, Jackson finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs against the Bulldogs. In UGA’s season-opening series against UNC Asheville, Burnett went 4-for-10 at the plate with two home runs. His two long balls occurred off of Charlie Goldstein and Brian Zeldin, who are both out of eligibility.