In-State RB Ellis Bynum Excited to Walk-On At Oregon

If you thought the high profile pledge from Josh Conerly Jr. rounded out the class of 2022, think again. The scholarships may all be spoken for, but one in-state athlete is still on the board.

Ellis Bynum, a 2022 running back out of Central Catholic High in Portland, took a drive down Interstate 5 on April 2 for an unofficial visit. The On3 Consensus does not rank Bynum, but 247Sports has him as the nation’s No. 161 running back and No. 24 player in the state of Oregon.

ScoopDuck got together with Bynum to discuss his recent trip and future plans.

Bynum was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest.

“I grew up in Clackamas,” he said. “I played for Clackamas all my life until now.

“My parents went to Central Catholic, so I decided to go there for my high school years as well.”

Growing up in the Portland suburbs, Bynum found it a challenge to fit in at times.

“I’m a Black person, and there are not that many Black people out here,” he said. “It makes me have thicker skin when certain things are said to me or certain things I have to deal with.

“I had to grow up early because of some of the racism that has been going on.”

Bynum started playing football in preschool.

“I started out playing flag football when I was 4,” he said. “I got into tackle football at the age of 7.”

Bynum found motivation for football by watching a former Seattle Seahawk.

“When I was little,” he said, “my dad and I watched Marshawn Lynch. And ever since I watched him, I knew I wanted to play football.

“I model my game after him because he was my inspiration growing up.”

Bynum knew he was going to be good at an early age.

“In fourth grade I got hurt so I only played three games,” he said. “I finished the season with eight touchdowns and almost all my team’s yards.”

Bynum acknowledges the challenges of trying to be a walk-on.

“I know it’s going to be hard coming into Oregon,” he said. “As a walk-on, I’m expected to compete.

“I have competed my whole life, so it’s nothing new to me.”

What areas of his game is he most confident in?

“I would say I’m very passionate about the game,” he said. “I care about football more than other people, in my opinion.

“I’m trying to use this game to change things for my family.”

What was his recent visit like?

“I have been watching Oregon since I was a kid,” he said, “so this was a dream come true. To see all the facilities and experience all of it was amazing.

“I’m at a loss of words because it is a dream of mine to play football for Oregon.”

Bynum is developing a close relationship with Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn.

“Coach Lock and my family have talked a few times,” he said. “He talked to my mom for two hours just about anything about me.

“He really is a great guy,” he said. “He was a walk-on and had to grind from the bottom as a coach, so I connected with him a lot.”

Bynum is friends with a few other ‘22 Oregon commits.

“I know Justius Lowe, Trejon Williams and Emar’rion Winston,” he said. “Winston went to my school, so we played together.”