EUNICE, La. – Former LSU Eunice standout Dawson Willis (Ruston, LA, Ruston HS) has signed with the San Diego Padres organization as he becomes the latest Bengal to join an MLB franchise.  Willis inked with the club on Tuesday as an undrafted free agent following the completion of the 2025 MLB Draft.
 
Willis becomes the 62nd player in LSU Eunice history to have either been drafted or signed by a Major League Baseball organization, and the fifth straight season a former Bengal has gone pro.
 
"Dawson has a unique skill set that translates incredibly well to the professional game," LSU Eunice head coach Jeff Willis said.  "I believe his work ethic and competitiveness will allow Dawson to play this game for a very long time."
 
The Ruston native spent the last season with the University of Oklahoma, starting all 60 games at third base for the Sooners.  Willis hit .232 on the season with six home runs, 11 doubles, and 32 runs scored.  His 18 stolen bases were tied for the team lead while his 40 RBIs were third.
 
Willis was instrumental during LSUE's 2024 NJCAA National Championship season, earning the Most Valuable Player award during the Bengals' title run in Enid.  He would lead the NJCAA in runs (90), and finish in the top five in walks (70) and stolen bases (54), while topping the LSUE lineup in hits (72).
 
The shortstop was also named the NJCAA Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore campaign.  For his LSUE career, Willis left the Cajun Prairie as the all-time leader in runs (153), walks (101), and stolen bases (82).  He would start 110 of the 113 games he suited for LSUE at shortstop.
 
Willis is the first Bengal to be signed by the Padres since Mason House, a LSUE signee, was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft.