Cal’s Bynum using homecoming to stoke NFL dream
All of the Cal fans who have enjoyed Camryn Bynum’s emergence into a shutdown cornerback should make a point of soaking up every moment of Saturday’s game at USC.
The 6-foot, 193-pound sophomore from Centennial-Corona (Riverside County) is eyeing the lifelong dream of declaring for the NFL draft. This game could be a swan song as Bynum showcases his brilliance against the very receivers that used to have an edge on him.
“To be as humble as possible, I believe my play is showing that I belong in the NFL. That’s always been my goal, and I’d like to go as soon as possible,” said Bynum, who redshirted his freshman year, making him eligible to declare for the draft after this season. “I’m for sure thinking about leaving. If my (draft) grade is high enough and it’s my chance, I have to go. If I stay another year, I risk injuries. If they notice my talents enough to draft me pretty high, I’ll for sure plan on going.”
NFL decision-makers definitely have noticed Bynum’s talents, a blend of athleticism, intelligence and a work ethic that allows him to control an entire side of the field in an era of football when all the rules seemingly are aimed at helping the offense.
Bynum has followed a breakout redshirt-freshman year — during which he had 58 tackles (more than any other non-linebacker on the team) and paced the squad with eight pass breakups — with a dominating sophomore season.
He has 24 tackles, two interceptions and a teamleading seven pass breakups, which is remarkable considering how seldom quarterbacks look in his direction. Washington State threw 51 passes Saturday, and only four were targeted at the man Bynum was covering.
One was completed for minus-2 yards.
“If I’m targeted by them, I don’t want them to complete a ball,” Bynum said.
Head coach Justin Wilcox said: “It seems to be just what you come to expect from Cam. He’s just as steady as it gets, and he’s playing at a really high level. He plays with such a great calm. Sometimes, at corner, that’s one of the hardest things. Even if you have the physical tools, when the ball is air, you have to stay calm, compete all the way to the ground and never panic. He does that.”
Bynum’s favorite play of the season came in the season opener against North Carolina, when the Tar Heels got to the line quickly and caught Bynum alone against three receivers.
Carolina threw a quick bubble screen to one of the receivers, who had two blockers between him and Bynum. He shed one blocker and grabbed the ball carrier by the collar before completing the tackle.
“I wish I could say that was scheme. That hadn’t nothing to do with it,” Wilcox said. “… That was Cam Bynum beating a block, grabbing a guy and not letting them get the first down. That’s what it takes.
“Not only is he a great athlete, but he plays the game above the neck, too. His football IQ is very high, and he wants to be an expert at playing corner.”
Bynum wears No. 24 because his favorite alltime athlete is Kobe Bryant, and he mimics the former Lakers guard’s work ethic. Bynum stays well after practice every day to perfect his footwork and technique, and during spring break last year, he opted to spend the time off at a speed and agility camp.
Defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said he knew Bynum was the real deal last season when Mississippi brought its NFL-ready receivers into Berkeley.
“Early in the game, a couple of guys ran by him, and I was expecting see a freshman with big old eyes or maybe a woe-isme look. But it didn’t faze him,” DeRuyter said. “At the end of the game, they kept going after him, and he kept competing. He didn’t give up another route. When I saw that, I knew he had a great temperament to play corner.”
That’s exactly what NFL teams are starting to realize.
Scouts have been raving about Bynum all season, and the buzz has transferred to top-level decision-makers recently. Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie was on campus to evaluate Bynum in the lead-up to the Oct. 27 Washington game.
On Tuesday, Bynum’s dad texted him to say: “Keep working. There are fewer than three weeks until you can declare for the draft.”
“I guess I expected this, because that’s what I was working for, but it’s crazy to really think about,” Bynum said. “That’s been on my mind a lot of lately. It’s huge thinking that I can go to the NFL now and my dreams would come true.” Rusty Simmons is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rsimmons@ sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Rusty_SFChron