Former Corona Centennial star Camryn Bynum giving back to community

TL;DR

Camryn Bynum, a former Corona Centennial star and current Colts player, signed a $60-million contract and will host a youth camp at his high school on May 23. He emphasizes dedication and hard work as keys to success in football.

Key points

Camryn Bynum signed a $60-million contract with the Colts
He will hold a youth camp at Corona Centennial High School
Bynum emphasizes hard work and dedication for aspiring players
He played as a defensive back in high school

Camryn BynumIndianapolis ColtsCorona Centennial High School

COSTA MESA, CA -NOVEMBER 20, 2015: Corona Centennial defensive coach Danny Herring reacts with defensive back Camryn Bynum (24) and linebacker Zach Brumbaugh (9) after the defensive line forced Orange Lutheran to turn the ball over on fourth down in the first half at Orange Coast College on November 20, 2015 in Costa Mesa California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Former Corona Centennial defensive back Camryn Bynum (24) in 2015. He now plays for the Colts. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

For teenagers dreaming of playing in the NFL, former Corona Centennial high defensive back Camryn Bynum has first-hand knowledge of what it takes. It involves more than a star ranking or posting videos on social media.

“It's a simple formula to make it to where you want to go,” said Bynum, who recently signed a $60-million contract with the Indianapolis Colts and will be holding a youth camp at his alma mater on May 23.

“It's just hard to stay on the right track and do every single thing to the best of your ability and consistently do everything the right way," he said. "You play a few good years of high school ball, you'll get a chance to play college ball. If you become a starter, maybe one or two years and play well enough, you'll get a chance at the league, whether you get drafted in the first round, like everybody wants to, or you you're an undrafted free agent. If you get your foot in the door, there's hundreds of stories about people getting in.”

Bynum says there’s a big sacrifice that many teenagers are unwilling to accept. It’s called avoiding distractions at all costs. At least it worked for him. He didn’t start on varsity until his junior year. He became a four-year starter at Cal, was a fourth-round draft pick of the Vikings, who immediately told him he’s switching from cornerback to safety. He was ready for anything.

“I think the best way to reach the point where you want to go is to stay distraction free," he said. "Stay working towards that goal and don't let anything come in between. That's been the biggest part of my journey, my faith, and being able to just trust that God will put me exactly where I need to be, but also putting in the work myself knowing that if I want to play college ball, I need to keep my grades up in high school, stay away from all the distractions, the parties, the drinking, the drugs, like a lot of people unfortunately fall into.”