BATON ROUGE, LA — Southern University star KJ White Jr. was named the 2026 Southwestern Athletic Conference Baseball Hitter of the Year on Tuesday after turning in one of the most dominant offensive seasons in college baseball.
The Georgia, native emerged as one of the nation's top hitters this spring, helping lead the Jaguars to one of the SWAC's best regular-season finishes while establishing himself as the centerpiece of Southern's lineup.
White, a senior infielder and best hitter, finished the regular season batting .424, ranking among the national leaders in NCAA Division I baseball entering postseason play. According to the NCAA's latest statistical rankings, White stood third nationally in batting average through games played May 18.
The Jaguars standout recorded hits in 39 of Southern's 50 games and consistently sparked the offense with his ability to get on base, create pressure on the base paths and deliver in key moments throughout conference play.
White closed the regular season with 75 hits, 51 runs scored, 33 RBI's and 31 stolen bases while starting all 50 games for Southern. He also posted an on-base percentage above .500 and produced numerous multi-hit performances during SWAC competition.
His consistency at the plate helped Southern finish among the conference leaders in batting average, stolen bases and runs scored, positioning the Jaguars as one of the favorites entering the SWAC Baseball Tournament.
White delivered several signature performances during the season, including multiple three-hit games and a pair of four-hit outings against league opponents. His combination of contact hitting, speed and defensive versatility made him one of the conference's most complete players.
Earlier this month, White earned additional national recognition when he was named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, presented annually to the top player in college baseball.
Beyond the statistics, White's emergence helped elevate Southern's national profile during the 2026 season. His offensive production and leadership provided stability for a Jaguars team that remained in contention throughout conference play and continued to build momentum heading into postseason competition.
For Southern, White's selection as SWAC Hitter of the Year represents both individual excellence and the continued rise of the program under a resurgent season. For White, it caps a remarkable regular season that placed the Atlanta native among the elite hitters in college baseball and firmly etched his name into Southern baseball history.
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