On Monday, former four-star recruit Ryan Newsome announced on his Twitter account that he would be leaving Texas and looking to continue his career elsewhere. Newsome, who saw playing time as a true freshman for head coach Charlie Strong, will have four years to play three wherever he ultimately finishes his career.

Texas granted Newsome his release on Tuesday — he says he can't go to Notre Dame or Cal (who Texas plays this year) or any Big 12 school — and since then, the messages have streamed in non-stop. Already Newsome has developed a list of six schools where there's mutual interest: Tennessee, Alabama, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Arizona State and USC.

"I know more schools will come after me but more than likely that list won’t change," Newsome said in an exclusive interview Wednesday night. "I’m really excited for those schools and I know for a fact those schools are interested in me. I’m visiting Arizona State and Michigan State next week.”

It’s easy to think that rumors of Newsome leaving Texas because of competition are true, but that'd be incorrect. The fleet receiver had long considered leaving the program and had discussions with Strong back in January. The move to leave was more about fitting new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert's scheme rather than competing against others; after all he chose to play at a school where talent is signed at every position each year.

“It didn’t have anything to do with any new players coming in,” Newsome said. “They were going to have to work as hard as I would just to take a spot from me. I have to compete wherever I go but I want to go play. I have so much to give this game but not a lot of time. I don’t want to be wasting there years just doing punt return when I can play slot. I feel like I should be able to showcase that. I really didn’t feel like the system fit me because the guys are more like 6-foot- 3, 6-foot- 4 in the slot and I really didn’t feel like I fit that mold. I just felt like they didn’t want to use me like that.”

Newsome will be selective throughout the process. With fall camp starting for most programs the first week of August, Newsome must hurry the process. But, he must also make the right choice this time around (Newsome announced at a press conference in January of 2015 that was committed to UCLA before flipping to Texas on National Signing Day). It’s something he doesn’t have experience with.

“Everyone understands that I have to get it right this time and I don’t have time to waste,” Newsome said.

At the moment Newsome says every listed school is on equal ground. He doesn’t have much time to spare, but is devoting all spare time to to researching his options.

“Honestly everything is 50/50 with everyone because I’ve got to get this thing right this time by doing a bunch of research and going on a visit,” Newsome said.

Breaking down Newsome's top schools

Texas A&M - “They want me there but they have to talk to Sumlin, a little more talk has to be done. The thing about it is (coaches) Noel and Taylor Mazzone are there and they were recruiting me and Christian Kirk to play on the same team at UCLA. That same idea is in his head. I’m interested in A&M a lot. Obviously it’s a little plot twist because I was just at Texas and that’s a rival no matter what. A lot of my family went to A&M; my Dad’s whole side went there so the fact they know I’m interested in going there they’re flipping. I should know some later this week. I’m looking forward to what Coach Sumlin says.”

Michigan State - "Initially they were the first school to contact me and supposedly before I signed (with Texas) they were interested in me, too. They told me I am what they’re looking for. They said I’m their guy.”

Tennessee - “Tennessee is on me hard; they’re all on me there. Coach Butch (Jones), he’s just a great guy. I officially visited Tennessee but my parents never went up there. Now, they said they’ll go see it. But Darren Kirkland and Khalil (McKenzie) are on me hard; they all want me there. The Tennessee fans are going crazy.”

Arizona State - “Coach Graham was talking about relationships and he’s from Texas. Relationships are really key for me. When I was at UT I loved Coach Traylor and those guys; but when Norvell, Tommie (Robinson) and Coach Watson left everyone that recruited me was gone. That happens sometimes but those were the guys that knew what I could do. I’ve known Coach (Jay) Norvell for three years; he recruited me at Oklahoma and Texas.”

Alabama – “I know Deionte Thompson and Blake Barnett. Bama offered me in high school and I saw the way they used Calvin Ridley; they put him in the backfield and in motion and that’s what they said they were going to do with me. They only offered me and Christian Kirk as slots in high school. It’s business-like over there with Coach Saban; he’s a tough guy.”

A note on USC: There's serious interest with the Trojans because former Texas assistant coach Tommie Robinson is in Los Angeles now.

Newsome was the No. 27 wide receiver in the class of 2015 according to the 247Sports Composite and the No. 32 player in Texas. Newsome tied a national high school record in his junior season at Aledo with seven punt returns for touchdowns as a junior. The Fort Worth native recorded four catches for 23 yards and returned six kicks for 101 yards as a freshman with the Longhorns.