UCF's all-time freshman home run leader announces he's transferring to Florida State
A local product is returning home.
Drew Faurot, a former Florida High two-sport star who set the freshman home run record at Central Florida this past season, is transferring to Florida State.
Faurot announced his decision Thursday night via Instagram, just days after UCF fired coach Greg Lovelady after seven seasons with the Knights. UCF finished 33-26.
Faurot, a 6-fot-3 shortstop known for his versatility, enjoyed an impressive showing in his first college season.
He was an unanimous selection to the American Athletic Conference Freshman All-Conference Team. He started 57 games, hit .252 and had 51 RBI. He also set the freshman record for home runs with 16. Faurot struggled at times in the field, however, finishing with a .917 fielding percentage in 57 starts.
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Faurot is the third transfer FSU landed Thursday.
Outfielder Max Williams announced he was transferring from Alabama to FSU.
Williams is also a Florida native, playing for Clay High School in Green Cove Springs, Florida. He made three starts this season as a freshman, appeared in 18 games and hit .320 (25 at-bats).
North Florida shortstop Alex Lodise also announced his intention to sign with FSU.
The St. Augustine native was a first-team All-ASUN selection last season as a freshman, hitting .306 with 51 runs, 67 hits, 14 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and 63 RBI. Lodise set the UNF freshman single-season record for home runs, runs, and RBI. Defensively, he had a .928 fielding percentage.
FSU veteran James Tibbs, who also announced his intention to return to FSU Thursday, welcomed the trio on social media, sharing on Twitter 'Big day for the Noles! Welcome fellas let's get to work!'
On Friday morning, UCF left-handed pitcher Jacob Marlowe announced his intentions to transfer to FSU. The 6-foot, 175-pound pitcher is from Naples and was a sophomore last year.
He went 3-6 with a 5.64 ERA in 19 appearances (eight starts), while striking out 41 and walking 12 in 60.2 innings.
Faurot has ties to FSU.
His father, Adam Faurot, played infield for the Seminoles (1995 to 1996), starting 97 games with a career batting average of .331 and playing in a pair of World Series'. He was selected in the 38th round of the 1996 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers and has operated Titus Human Performance in Tallahassee.
In his final high school season at Florida High, Drew had a .405 batting average with 28 RBIs and five home runs. He was an All-Big Bend First Team selection.
Faurot has proven he can also play multiple position.
During his senior year, Faurot was the starting quarterback at Florida High, leading the Seminoles to a 5-1 record. Faurot moved from receiver after starting quarterback Tre Donaldson, who is now playing basketball at Auburn, was out due to an injury. Faurot passed for 1,079 yards, eight touchdowns, and only three interceptions. He also played at safety, recording 38 tackles.
The Seminoles went 23-31 this season in Link Jarrett's first year at the helm, missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1977. Jarrett is also a Florida High alum.
Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on Twitter @jackgwilliams.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida State baseball picks up local standout from Central Florida
