Notre Dame Punter Tyler Newsome Lives Life, Welcomes Challenges
Shortly before Brian Kelly’s press conference to begin preseason practice, Notre Dame junior punter Tyler Newsome brazenly walked into the Isban Auditorium and joked with the assembled media.
His clothing choice that day fit the 6-foot-2 ½, 210-pound Newsome’s personality. He sported an orange t-shirt, green and pink flowery shorts and camouflage Under Armour shoes. His long blonde hair was in a tied-back mess.
When quizzed on how many pairs of similar shorts he has, the Newnan, Georgia, native said, “more than 15 but less than 25," drawing a laugh.
It’s that electric personality — and strong right leg — that coaches and players gravitate toward.
“Everybody has their own personality. That’s the one thing I love about this team and Notre Dame in general,” Newsome said. “Everybody brings something to the table that can benefit you.”
Newsome, a Marketing major with a minor in (environmental) sustainability, said he lives with five regular students in Kennan Hall, spending his down time lifting weights, fishing and listening to music, with tastes that include John Fogerty, Tupac, techno, as well as country favorites George Strait and Alan Jackson.
“I’ve got five roommates, and we’re from all over the place. Montana, New Jersey, Kentucky, Ohio and Minnesota,” Newsome said. “We’re from all over the place, so it’s nice seeing that kind of aspect.”
The former Carrollton (Ga.) High School star — a three-star prospect by Rivals.com in the class of 2014 — has also made a name for himself on the field after redshirting his first season in South Bend.
His 55 punts averaged 44.5 yards in 2015, including a 52.4-yard average on five punts against UMass, which established a Notre Dame single-game record.
“I feel more confident for sure,” the 21-year-old Newsome said. “I feel like I’m striking the ball better which is a good thing. There’s not as many mis-hits right now, so I feel more comfortable back there with (long snapper Scott Daly). It’s very smooth.”
Kelly said Notre Dame was much more of an uncertainty entering last season, breaking in a new kicker (Justin Yoon) and new punter (Newsome).
The seventh-year coach said more than anything else, making sure there’s “really good” development from year one to year two is what's important.
“The special teams requires finding the right personalities on that team, and that’s always about making sure you’ve got the right personnel,” Kelly said. “Evaluation, evaluation, evaluation and evaluating getting the right people on those teams is crucial.
Newsome had a career-best 62-yard punt in his second career game. In 10 of the Irish’s 13 games, he hit a 50-yarder. On the road against Clemson, he pinned the Tigers inside the 20 four times.
“I know fourth down is technically an offensive play, but I look at it as the first play of the defense,” Newsome said. “If we put the ball on the five-yard-line, the defense is going out there confident, knowing they’re about to stop those guys and hit ‘em right in the mouth.”
Also a skilled kickoff specialist, Newsome said he knows tackling is part of the game for special teams players.
“I’m a football player first before I’m a specialist,” Newsome said. “You have to have that mindset because at the end of the day, you’ve got to be able to tackle the ball carrier.”
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