USF freshman LB Quavon Taylor, who returned to his hometown of Miami this weekend, is expected to return to Tampa Sunday and will participate in Monday’s first day of practice.

Taylor initially was going to be in Miami for an extended period of time for personal reasons, but the true freshman should be practicing Monday.

Also, Wharton freshman TE Andreas Shields, who had been planned to delay his enrollment until January as a “grayshirt,” will instead report with USF’s players Sunday and be eligible to play this season.

The only players who may not be available for Monday’s first practice are junior college transfers David Bedford and Theo Wilson, who are waiting for their final academic approval. 

Heath makes his pitch: I’m in St. Pete tonight for USF night at the Rays game where USF basketball coach Stan Heath threw out one of the first pitches at the Rays-Detroit Tigers game. Heath’s pitch was just a bit outside.

“I threw at the batter,” he joked.

Growing up in Detroit, Heath was a standout baseball player and also a Tigers fan. But he said he’s firmly on the Rays bandwagon now.

Heintz rejoins softball staff: Former USF softball assistant Stacey Heintz has returned to USF, replacing assistant Amber Wright, who had been on USF’s staff for 12 seasons, but resigned to be a high school counselor in the Bay area.

“We are thrilled to bring back an old friend and an even better coach,” USF coach Ken Eriksen said in a statement. “Stacey has an exceptional mind for the game and a true love for Tampa and the Bulls. This is a major win for our program.”

Heintz was a member of the USF staff from 1997-2006. She was out of the coaching business before coming back to USF. She’s married to former USF baseball player Chris Heintz.