Shortell went to Bishop Miege High School in Roeland Park, Kansas. A three-sport athlete, participating in football, basketball and baseball for two years, he dropped basketball and baseball his junior year to focus on football. For football, he was coached by former NFLPro BowlerTim Grunhard, and led his squad to 6–4 record, while completing 147-of-277 passes, for 2,643 yards, 21 touchdowns and just seven interceptions in 2010 as a senior. As a junior, he led the Stags to a 12–2 mark and a 2009 Kansas Class 4A State Championship. He completed 144-of-250 passes for 2,524 yards, 29 touchdowns and 11 interceptions that season. He was a two-time Honorable Mention All-Eastern Kansas League selection. Shortell committed to the University of Minnesota on June 11, 2010. Shortell wasn't heavily recruited by Football Bowl Subdivision schools, as Minnesota was his only football scholarship offer.
During the 2011 pre-season, Shortell was in competition with MarQueis Gray for the starting quarterback job. To start the 2011 season, Shortell was named the backup quarterback to MarQueis Gray. In the opening game against USC, Gray left the game with cramps, making way for Shortell to get on the field. Shortell would lead a rally for the Gophers, but they came up short, as he threw an interception to end their drive and the game. For the game he completed 7 of 13 passes for 98 yard to go along with a touchdown and interception. In the Gophers' second game against New Mexico State, he saw limited action, as he came in relief of Gray, as Gray once again had cramps from the heat. For the game he completed 2 of 7 passes for 27 yards. He got his first career start against the Michigan on October 2, 2011, due to Gray not being able to play with a toe injury. The Golden Gophers would lose the game 58–0, with Shortell completing 11 of 22 for 104 yards. He made his second career start the following week against Purdue, where he completed 2 passes for 9 yards, only seeing 2 series as the quarterback, before being pulled in favor of Gray.
2012 season
Gray was once again named the starting quarterback for the Golden Gophers for the 2012 season. Shortell was listed as the backup following spring camp, and served that role for the first three games of the season. During the week 3 game against Western Michigan, Gray left the game with an injury, and Shortell led the Gophers back from an early deficit to defeat the Broncos throwing three touchdowns. Shortell would start the next three weeks, leading the Gophers to a 1–2 record during that time. A surprise came during the Gopher's week 7 game at Wisconsin, when true freshman, Philip Nelson was named the starting quarterback. Gray moved to wide receiver, and Nelson started every game for the rest of the season. Shortell was limited to the backup role for the rest of the season. Following the end of the Minnesota semester, Shortell announced his intentions to transfer.
Jacksonville State
2013 season
On May 9, 2013, Shortell announced via Twitter, that he was transferring to Jacksonville State.
Statistics
Through the end of the 2012 season, Shortell's statistics are as follows: Shortell has a 1–3 win/loss ratio for his career as the starting quarterback at Minnesota.
