Fourth in a series

The spring-time search for Jevan Snead’s replacement finished with sophomore Nathan Stanley at No. 1, and a whole lot of TBA behind him.

The uncertainty for No. 2 appeared late in drills when it was discovered that redshirt freshman Raymond Cotton has a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder. There’s been no announcement whether Cotton will have surgery this off-season or after the 2010 season.

The injury goes back a while, all the way to high school perhaps, and Cotton will likely play through it unless doctors determine he’ll do further damage to it by continuing to play. So far he’s treated occasional soreness and pain with rest and rehab.

Stanley showed enough in the spring to win the job on his own merit, not solely on Cotton’s misfortune, his absence at a hanful of practices, his limitations at some others he did attend.

Cotton did enough in the spring game to show he’d have been a force in the race if fully healthy and may yet be that force in August. He was accurate both intermediate and deep, and he has the speed to get to the corner. If the shoulder doesn’t limit him, he’ll keep Stanley on his toes.

Stanley isn’t a stiff and will surprise people with his mobility. His decision-making and accuracy improved as the spring wore on and his rebuilding offensive line became more comfortable. He also showed in the spring game that he’s still a young quarterback who is learning the ropes.

Cotton, if healthy, brings intriguing possibilities to the Wild Rebel formation.

The key is “if healthy.” If he’s not, the Rebels are suddenly much thinner at quarterback, and the role of junior college transfer Randall Mackey increases in a hurry.

Right now Mackey, assuming he arrives this summer and is eligible as expected, will get in the mix, but it’s unlikely he can begin practice in August and win the job. If Cotton is out, Mackey will be prepped quickly as the No. 2.

Mackey has such athleticism that he’ll get on the field somehow. Maybe that’s as the Wild Rebel, maybe as a slot receiver or running back. But if Cotton isn’t around there’s less experimentation. Mackey becomes less of a luxury and more a guy the Rebels have to have ready to compete.

Assuming Cotton plays, the quarterback picture isn’t that bleak.

Some have suggested it could be better with Snead’s departure. In a perfect world, Snead would have returned. You can’t disregard 26 starts and an 18-8 record under center. Had he returned, the likelihood is that Snead would have improved. He’d have worked through some of his issues, thrown fewer interceptions. He’d have been productive, but he wanted to get away.

As the situation stands now, there are two good hands and a third coming. That will change if Cotton’s status changes, and right now it’s just wait and see.