EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings bolstered their safeties group with the addition of Camryn Bynum.
Minnesota drafted Bynum out of California with the 125th overall selection. The 6-foot, 196-pounder played cornerback for the Golden Bears but is embracing the switch to safety.
"Coming from corner, going to safety, I know I can cover anybody on the field. Just that skill set, moving to safety, with my mental skills, just knowing that I know every single position on the whole defense, is something I'm happy about," Bynum told Twin Cities media members after being drafted.
Cal played just four games in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Bynum totaled 19 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, one interception and two pass breakups. He also accepted an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Here are five things to know about the Vikings new safety:
1. California kid
Bynum grew up in Corona, California, where he attended Centennial High School and didn't play on the varsity football team until his junior year. He blossomed nicely by his senior season when he totaled 70 tackles and nine passes defensed.
Other notable alumni of Centennial include Bears defensive tackle Will Sutton, who spent the 2017 offseason with Minnesota, former linebacker Vontaze Burfict and longtime NFL long snapper Lonie Paxton, who has three Super Bowl rings.
View photos of California S Camryn Bynum who was selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
December 5, 2020; Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California, USA; Football: California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks; Camryn Bynum (24); Photo credit: Al Sermeno - KLC fotos
December 5, 2020; Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California, USA; Football: California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks; Camryn Bynum (24); Photo credit: Al Sermeno - KLC fotos
November 21, 2020; Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Football: California Golden Bears at Oregon State Beavers; Camryn Bynum (24); Photo credit: Al Sermeno - KLC fotos
December 5, 2020; Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California, USA; Football: California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks; Camryn Bynum (24); Photo credit: Al Sermeno - KLC fotos
California Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (10) runs against California's Camryn Bynum during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct.. 5, 2019, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
National Team defensive back Camryn Bynum of California (24) during the first half of the NCAA college football Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rusty Costanza)
National Team defensive back Camryn Bynum of California (24) and National Team defensive back Benjamin St. Juste of Minnesota (25) run a drill during the National Team practice for the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala. Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Stanford wide receiver Trenton Irwin, right, leaps forward past California cornerback Camryn Bynum after a catch during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Southern California's Michael Pittman Jr. (6) can't make the catch as California's Camryn Bynum (24) defends during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
BYU wide receiver Dylan Collie (3) drops a pass as California cornerback Camryn Bynum (24) defends during the first half during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
American Team wide receiver Trevon Grimes of Florida (8) makes a catch against National Team defensive back Camryn Bynum of California (24) during the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala., Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
2. Took a post-draft dip
Bynum celebrated being drafted by taking a chilly dip in Big Bear Lake in California.
He and his family and friends rented a cabin there for draft weekend, and a back flip – complete with a Vikings flag worn as a cape – capped off the big day.
3. Took a plunge from a plane
Turns out, back-flipping into a lake isn't the only type of diving Bynum has done.
In October 2020, he went skydiving through GoJump Santa Cruz. The new experience was a hit, as he captioned his Instagram post "New hobby alert!!"
4. Rookie pianist
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bynum opted to take piano lessons.
He posted photos and video from his first piano recital on March 31, during which he played on his "dream piano" at Steinway & Sons.
"I was 10x more nervous than I was playing any football game," Bynum said of the experience.
5. Mamba mentality
Bynum will wear 43 for the Vikings but previously donned No. 24 in honor of the late Kobe Bryant.
When Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in January 2020, Bynum called the NBA Legend his "biggest inspiration in life" and explained that he'd worn 24 since fifth grade because of his role model.
"Mamba Mentality will continue, and there will never be another," Bynum wrote.
