What do Maryland, LSU, and Tennessee all have in common?

According to Newton, Texas standout running back Kevin Shorter they have all recently joined his list of scholarship offers.

It is a list that already includes the likes of Arkansas, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M, and the interest continues to roll in from across the country.

Over the last few months, Shorter has been able to check out Texas A&M, and most recently took a trip to another SEC program.

"The latest was LSU. They wanted to meet me and sit down and talk to me and find out what kind of guy I was before they offered me," Shorter said. "I went to coach Les Miles' office and talked about how I fit into their offensive scheme. Cam Cameron is their new offensive coordinator and he said he's looking for smaller and quicker backs that can catch screens and run out for passes. He said I'm the perfect fit for that so he's going to offer me."

Shorter enjoyed his visit to Baton Rouge, but one aspect of the trip stood above the rest.

"The academic center is great," Shorter said. "It's big. It's three floors. It's 64,000 sq. ft. Computers, whatever you need it's in that building."

When the topic turns to College Station, it is easy to see the Aggies also made a strong impression.

"Almost everything (stood out)," Shorter said. "They're adding onto the field. The weight room, academic center, and locker rooms. Everything like that stood out."

Early in the recruiting process Shorter named Arkansas an early leader with Oklahoma running second and Texas A&M in the mix. As the offers have come in and Shorter has been able to take a few visits, there has been a little shake up on his list.

"Arkansas is still in the top. Oklahoma is still there too. I haven't talked to the coaches lately and I need to talk to coach Gundy," Shorter said. "Right now my top three are LSU, Texas A&M, and Arkansas. Those are the three schools at the top."

He does not claim any leaders at this point, but his top three have given him plenty to like.

"Arkansas, when coach Ash came down he talked to me like he knew me before," Shorter said. "He treated me like we've been talking for a while. He treats me nice. He calls or I call him and catch up on some things.

"Then A&M, it just feels like family with coach McKinney and Coach Sumlin we talked in his office. It just feels like family.

"LSU, I've known coach Henry or my coach has known him and I've known him for like three years and when I went there I'd already known coach Henry. And Les Miles he seems like a great guy. He looked me in the eye the whole time he was talking to me. Some coaches just try to talk you into it but he seems like the kind of guy who would be true to what he's telling you."

Next on Shorter's schedule is a possible trip to Texas A&M for the Aggies' Friday Night Lights event. He may not be able to make it since it falls on his birthday, but if family plans allow for it he hopes to make his way to College Station.

Shorter also mentioned possible trips to Florida, Florida State, and Georgia this summer.

When it comes to his college decision, the Kinesiology department will play a big factor. At this point in the process he is aiming for a summer time decision.