As a junior at Killen (Ala.) Brooks High School, few college programs expressed interest in class of 2017 linebacker Colin Anderson. Now, he's set to hit the 30 scholarship offer-mark.

The hot spring has hit an apex of late with a Tennessee Volunteers offer and weekend visit. It carried over onto Monday as Michigan and Arkansas also jumped in the race for his services to bring his offer total to 29.

Vols linebacker coach Tommy Thigpen spent time at Brooks High and has been in contact with Anderson aplenty since. The weekend trip was set up soon after.

"It was awesome," Anderson said. "The football facilities were top-tier, there was a lot of money in that place. The one thing that really stood out to me was the food and how they feed you. The nutritionists there are top-notch, I hadn't received a presentation like that. They make their own peanut butter, they've got chocolate milk fresh off the utter, it's like a day old, best chocolate milk you've tasted, it's insane!

"I'm a milk guy, so it was awesome."

In addition to campus tours, time at Neyland Stadium, an academic presentation and a look at the brand new dorms he would likely be housed in, Anderson met with Thigpen in the film room to learn more of the Volunteer defense.

"It was an experience," he said with a laugh. "To say the least. But overall it was great. It was an excellent visit."

Monday arrived and more good news came during a time where Anderson was actually preparing for a math exam. Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown established contact from Jim Harbaugh's staff. Brown resonates with the rising-senior in his old-school approach and tie to Boston College defensive coordinator Jim Reid, who issued the standout's initial scholarship offer while on staff at Iowa, the state the Anderson's hail from.

"I got the chance to get on the phone with Michigan's D.C., coach Brown. He actually knows coach Reid," he said. "They're similar and have nearly the same ideals. I think I heard he took away kids ipads at Michigan and went back to paper. He's old school, it's how he rolls."

Anderson, who has Michigan graduates among family members and family friends, admits the news of the offer was intriguing enough to take a visit at some point this summer. Iowa, Mississippi State, Georgia Tech, Louisville and others may also soon get the state of Alabama's hottest prospect on campus.

"I thought it was tough before and now there's so many great opportunities," he said. "It's like on the movie The Blind Side, when all the coaches are watching spring practice, I pretty much had that. It was like that with Iowa, Iowa State, Duke at my spring game. It was like, 'whoa.'

"How I'm looking at it, and they're all excellent choices both academically and athletically, you have to look at each one and what it does best. Like what the brand is known for."

In no rush to make a decision, Anderson does often refer to a massive spreadsheet his mother updates with notes on each offering program. At this point, only Power 5 programs and Ivy League programs are to remain in consideration. He says campus location isn't to be a factor and the timetable for a decision hasn't yet been established.