He just finished a stellar career as the University of Notre Dame’s punter and became somewhat of a celebrity during his experience at the high-profile program, but Tyler Newsome, Carrollton Class of 2014 alum, is staying grounded and is focused on what’s next to come.

Newsome played his last game for the Fighting Irish Dec. 29 in the Cotton Bowl, but the former Trojan standout is not quite ready to give up the game he’s played practically his whole life. Is professional football next?

“Currently, my plans are to train for the NFL,” said Newsome. “I want to chase this dream for as long as I can until it is time for me to move on.”

Newsome left Notre Dame with a marketing degree in hand, so if football isn’t in his future, he’s prepared for the next stage. His status as a ND team captain automatically made him a spokesman for the program, and a good one, preparing him well for what’s yet to come.

The parallel experience of being an integral part of the Fighting Irish program and a stalwart of the storied Carrollton Trojans is evident in his thoughts on the experience of each.

“I think just being a part of the tradition and history of Notre Dame is something I will never forget,” said Newsome. “Each player walking down the tunnel to slap the sign gave me chills and are memories I will always cherish.”

But Newsome said the expectations at Notre Dame were no different than what he experienced as a Trojan.

“Growing up in Carrollton and lifting with Coach (Carey) Phillips and playing for Coach (Rayvan) Teague for five years really helped me develop as a leader and a competitor,” said Newsome. “You were expected to give your best effort every day and that was the standard. I kept that standard with me at Notre Dame.”

Newsome also wanted to be an ambassador for his hometown.

“I always wanted to represent Carrollton the best way I could and this was something I regularly thought about. This was almost a driver for me, I wanted to be the best representative for this city in everything that I did, whether it be on or off the field. I love this city,” he said. “Growing up in a town where people want to see you succeed and are supportive was a big reason I think I was able to develop as a leader. It is hard to fail when you have a support system like this city.”

The football program, in itself, was also a key motivator.

“Each week we competed at the highest level. Not everyone gets to play in front of 10,000 people on a Friday night,” said Newsome. “Being able to realize that the team comes before me was something I realized when I started playing football for Carrollton. I also realized that I was never just a ‘kicker’ or ‘punter’. I was a football player first. I remember a few times I did sleds with the O-lineman in the summer or was thrown into a tackling circuit by Coach (Seth) Caldwell. At Carrollton, I always told myself, ‘If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will’. This was something that sticks with me to this day.”

Caldwell, a special teams coach for the Trojans, recognized Newsome’s ability early on, as both played high-level soccer and Caldwell, who was also a kicker for the Trojans during his prep career, saw in Newsome the qualities needed to be an integral part of special teams.

“Tyler has always been a hardworking and dedicated young man,” said Caldwell. “He is passionate about being the best person he can be in every aspect of his life. This passion exceeds his athletic pursuits into his academic, spiritual, and mentoring areas of life. Tyler truly believes that in order to be a leader worth following you must excel in all that you do and set the standard for others to live their own lives by. His spiritual beliefs and relationship with God build the foundation for which he he builds all other relationships in his life.”

Caldwell summed up his assessment of his former charge with a basic tenet of leadership:

“Tyler’s work ethic in all areas of his life is a testament to show people that they, too, are capable of excellence in all that they do and that it is not only what the Irish do, but the true meaning of being a life-long Trojan.”