Nutt says ‘biggest single most awesome thing’ has been QB Mackey’s huddle growth

Randall Mackey has been the talk of Ole Miss’ spring thus far as he’s more than held his own in a four-way QB battle that also includes transfer Barry Brunetti, who may or may not play in 2011 pending a decision from the NCAA, Zack Stoudt and Nathan Stanley, who came out of spring last year as the starter before losing the job to transfer Jeremiah Masoli. And, in his own “unique” way, Nutt says that the abrupt improvement the senior’s made in the huddle has been the story of the spring sessions. “To me, that’s the thing of the spring,” Nutt said. “The biggest single most awesome thing is him in that huddle, saying very clearly the play and then barking out the snap count. Been very, very proud. I never would have dreamed that this time last year.” Nutt’s referring to, of course, Mackey appearing to overcome speech issues he’s dealt with since middle school. Mackey transferred from the JUCO ranks to Ole Miss in 2010, but did not attempt a pass last season. In early February, Mackey underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee, although the early returns make it clear that the joint is no longer an issue.