Dawson Willis, a former standout with the LSU Eunice Bengals, signed with the San Diego Padres organization, becoming the latest Bengal to join an MLB franchise. Willis put pen to paper on Tuesday and joined the organization as an undrafted free agent following the completion of the 2025 MLB Draft.
Willis became the 62nd player in LSUE 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 Oklahoma Sooners program. Willis started all 60 games at third base, hitting .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 a major factor in LSU Eunice’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).
In his time in Eunice, Willis was a NJCAA Division II National Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore campaign. The former Bengal infielder left the Cajun Prairie as the all-time leader in runs (153), walks (101), and stolen bases (82). Willis also started 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, an LSUE signee, was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft.