By MATT PIKE
A former St. Joseph Mustang and current Nebraska senior Dylan Carey has been named the recipient of the 2026 Brooks Wallace Award, as 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 and tragically passed away from leukemia at the age of 27. The Brooks Wallace Player of the Year Award was first awarded in 2004. Prior to 2009, the award recognized the National Player of the Year.
Carey becomes the second Husker to win the award, joining former Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, who won the honor as the national player of the year in 2005. Roch Cholowsky of UCLA, the 2025 Brooks Wallace Player of the Year, was a finalist for this year’s award. Other 2026 finalists included Georgia Tech’s Carson Kerce, California Baptist’s Chris Ramirez and North Carolina’s Jake Schaffner.
“Winning the Brooks Wallace Award is something I’ll never forget,” said Carey. “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," Carey said in a news release. "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.”
Carey put together a stellar senior campaign, earning third-team All-America honors from Perfect Game, while also receiving Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Big Ten recognition. He batted .353 with 16 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs, and 65 RBI's with 53 runs scored. The native of Castle Rock, Colorado became Nebraska's all-time leader in career doubles this season and was the ninth Husker in program history to reach 200 career hits, 150 runs, and 150 RBI's.
Carey was equally as impressive in the field, committing just four errors in 216 chances for a .981 fielding percentage while turning 29 double plays. The Huskers finished the season 43-17 with a 23-7 Big Ten record, falling in the semifinal of the Big Ten tournament to Oregon, before being eliminated by Arizona State in the Lincoln Regional of the NCAA tournament.
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