Let’s be real for a second. If you’ve been watching All American since 2018, you’re probably feeling a little bit like the freshman who just walked into the wrong locker room. Everything looks the same, but the faces are all wrong. Seeing a new All American cast headline the seventh season is basically like watching your favorite childhood home get a complete "modern farmhouse" renovation while you're still sitting on the porch.
It’s jarring. Honestly, losing Spencer James as a series regular is a tough pill to swallow. Daniel Ezra has been the heartbeat of this show for over 150 episodes. But TV is a business, and sometimes shows have to "reboot" just to keep the lights on at a network like The CW.
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Who is actually left from the original crew?
If you were worried about a total wipeout, take a breath. It’s not everyone. But the list of series regulars has been trimmed down to a very specific trio. Basically, the show has shifted its weight onto the shoulders of the "adults" now.
- Michael Evans Behling is back as Jordan Baker. He’s no longer the hotshot QB; he’s moved into a coaching role at South Crenshaw.
- Greta Onieogou (Layla Keating-Baker) is still here, navigating her life as a business owner and new wife.
- Bre-Z (Coop) rounds out the returning trio, still pursuing her legal career while mentoring the younger kids.
That’s it for the full-time OG squad. Everyone else—Olivia (Samantha Logan), Asher (Cody Christian), and even Coop’s partner Patience—have been moved to "guest star" status. You’ll see them pop up, but they aren't the ones driving the weekly plot anymore. It’s a massive shift that has a lot of fans wondering if the "Vortex" is officially dead.
The new All American cast: Meeting the freshmen
Since the show is essentially "resetting" by going back to the high school rivalry roots, we have a whole new crop of players to learn about. It’s a "full circle" moment, even if it feels a bit forced to some.
Nathaniel Logan McIntyre is the big addition here. He plays Kingston “KJ” Jeremy. He’s the new star quarterback at Beverly High, having transferred in from Oakland. Sound familiar? It should. His storyline is a bit of a mirror to Spencer’s original fish-out-of-water arc, though KJ comes in with a much more singular, laser-focused goal of making the NFL.
Then there’s Osy Ikhile, who plays Cassius Jeremy. He’s KJ’s father and the new head coach at Beverly High. The dynamic between a father and son on the field is a classic All American trope, but Ikhile brings a different kind of intensity than Billy Baker did.
The Crenshaw side of the tracks
Over at South Crenshaw, we have some familiar faces getting a major promotion. Antonio J. Bell (Khalil) and Alexis Chikaeze (Amina) are now series regulars.
- Khalil is a junior at Crenshaw who Jordan takes under his wing.
- Amina is Preach’s daughter, and she’s trying to carve out her own identity away from her father’s shadow.
Why the massive change?
You might be asking why they didn't just end the show after Spencer and Olivia’s wedding. That would have been the clean exit, right?
Well, All American remains one of The CW’s most-watched shows. When the network changed owners (Nexstar took over), they started axing almost everything. All American: Homecoming was cancelled. Walker was cancelled. This flagship show only survived because it’s a powerhouse on Netflix and linear TV. But to keep it going, the budget had to be slashed.
Slicing the veteran cast was a cost-saving measure, plain and simple. By bringing in a new All American cast of younger, less expensive actors, the producers can keep the brand alive for Season 7 (and potentially beyond) while telling a story that appeals to the "Gen Alpha" or younger Gen Z crowd who might be discovering the show for the first time.
What to expect from the new storylines
The vibe has shifted from "college struggles" back to "high school stakes." Jordan is trying to figure out how to be an authority figure to kids who are only a few years younger than him. It's kinda awkward, to be honest. He wants to be their friend, but he has to be their coach.
Layla is deep in the music industry grind, and Coop is dealing with the realities of law school. The "adult" storylines feel a bit separated from the high school football drama, which is a hurdle the writers are still trying to clear.
One thing that hasn't changed? The drama. There’s still plenty of "who’s dating who" and "who’s betraying who" to go around. KJ’s arrival at Beverly isn't exactly welcomed with open arms by everyone, and the rivalry with South Crenshaw is as heated as ever.
Actionable steps for fans
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the changes, here is how to navigate the new era of the show:
- Watch for the cameos: Daniel Ezra (Spencer) has already confirmed he will return to guest star and direct. Keep an eye on episode credits; he’s still very involved behind the scenes.
- Give KJ a chance: It’s easy to compare Nathaniel McIntyre to Daniel Ezra, but KJ’s "Oakland to LA" journey has different nuances. He’s not Spencer 2.0; he’s his own character with a different set of pressures.
- Binge the transition: If you missed the end of Season 6, go back and watch the "Victory Lap" episode. It sets the stage for why the OGs are moving on and why the new kids are stepping up.
- Follow the cast on socials: If you want to see the chemistry of the new All American cast, check out their behind-the-scenes posts. The new group actually seems to have bonded quite well during filming.
The show is definitely different. It’s leaner, younger, and a little bit raw. Whether it can capture the same magic that Spencer James brought to the field remains to be seen, but for now, the lights at Beverly High and South Crenshaw are still on.