BATON ROUGE, LA — Southern University standout KJ White has signed a free-agent contract with the Oakland Athletics organization, capping a historic senior season that established him as one of the top players in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
White emerged as the catalyst for Southern's success in 2026, earning SWAC Hitter of the Year honors, First-Team All-SWAC recognition and a spot as a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate baseball player.
The Jaguars infielder and lead-off hitter closed his collegiate career with a .421 batting average, collecting 81 hits, eight doubles, one home run, and 33 RBI's while scoring 46 runs. White also posted a .486 on-base percentage and a .682 slugging percentage, consistently setting the tone atop Southern's lineup.
White's production helped lead Southern to a 29-23 overall record and a 20-7 mark in SWAC play. The 29 victories were the most under head coach Chris Crenshaw and marked the program's highest win total since the 2019 season.
"I'm extremely proud of KJ and everything he accomplished during his time at Southern University," Coach Chris Crenshaw said. "He came to work every day with a professional mindset and earned this opportunity through his dedication, consistency and commitment to becoming the best player he could be."
Throughout the season, White established himself as one of the SWAC's most dangerous offensive threats. He combined elite contact hitting with consistency and an ability to impact games in a variety of ways, helping Southern remain among the conference's top contenders.
Beyond the statistics, White was widely regarded as a leader in the Jaguars' clubhouse. His preparation, toughness and poise in high-pressure situations made him a key figure in Southern's resurgence and helped elevate the program throughout the year.
White now begins his professional career with the Athletics organization, becoming the latest Jaguar to advance to the professional ranks. His signing represents another milestone for Southern baseball and a fitting conclusion to one of the most accomplished individual seasons in recent program history.
