All American Season 1 | Episode 11 “All Eyez On Me” Review

Episode 11 of All American takes a step away from the grief and focus back on football. More specifically, it focuses on the District Combine. What is this, you ask? It’s when the best players in the district show off their skills in front of college recruiters. The real kicker (pun intended) is that only the best of those best will be chosen for a scrimmage and a scholarship to college. So, who’s invited to this combine? Our favorite Beverly Hills boys, of course… including Asher! Also making the list last minute? Some of Crenshaw’s players. This makes for some unexpected competition.

Crenshaw Competition

The day before the combine, Spencer is all pumped and ready to keep his college options open. It’s not until he finds out that his mom quit night school that he becomes solely focused on getting in to ASU, which is closer to home, so that he can help his mom. The problem is that there’s only one ASU receiver scholarship to be given, and when Crenshaw players join the combine, he’s competing against another receiver. Spencer pushes himself as hard as he can, but the pressure causes him to lose a little focus, and the other player seemingly outshines him to the scouts.

Thankfully, Spencer’s skills didn’t go completely un noticed. The booster for ASU tells him they’ll make room for another scholarship and hands him the envelope inviting him to the scrimmage. When Spencer gets home, though, he opens the envelope to find two-grand in cash. Uh oh. That’s a big no no in the college football world. Spencer immediately goes to Coach Baker at the dinner and informs him about the cash. As Billy confronts the ASU coach, Spencer talks to the Crenshaw player who also got the offer. He doesn’t shy away from showing off his fancy watch or even show any shame in accepting the money as Spencer tries to warn him about it.

Meanwhile, Billy confronts the ASU coach about his generous booster, but the coach already knows. He warns Billy to let it go, otherwise Spencer’s offer will be receded, and so will the job offer Billy got when the combine started. Billy refuses to do this, so Spencer can no longer play in the scrimmage. Bummer.

But we all know Spencer, he isn’t going down without a fight. Grace gives him a pep talk about not holding back, not settling for a lesser school, and that it’s not just his decision. Spencer gives Jordan a pep talk. Coach Baker says screw ASU. Jordan and Spencer make an amazing play. A scout uploads it to YouTube, and it gets thousands of views, and coach shows Spencer SEC prospects! Also, Dillon and Spencer show their momma that she can go back to school with their help. Yay!

I Want to Be Great

The last few episodes have shown that Jordan’s kind of having a tough time feeling less than in comparison to Spencer (and his father) when it comes to football. He even went to his estranged grandpa for coaching since his father won’t push him hard enough. I thought we squashed this last week when Billy told Jordan that he cares more about his relationship with his son than football, but I guess not. This combine really pulls out Jordan’s insecurities as a player even more, especially when a player from Crenshaw keeps calling him a sucky QB and Chris is out-performing him.

He tries to prove that he’s worthy of being there and that he didn’t get accepted just because of his dad. Unfortunately, all the talk really seems to affect his playing. In the end, though, he gets invited to the scrimmage, but Chris is a total sore loser and says that he’s only there because he’s a privileged coach’s son. Ouch, that’s a low blow, Chris. At the scrimmage the next day, Jordan’s still off his game and he confronts his dad about only being there because of him. Billy says that’s a big if before Spencer walks up and gives a pep talk – he’s really good at those. They have a great play on the field and Spencer makes a great catch. The catch gets a bunch of views, but when Jordan shows it to Grandpa Willy, all he says is that it was Spencer’s catch. That’s when Jordan asks him to train him again because “I want to be great.”

Saving Asher

If you’ve been wondering where Asher’s been, no need to worry, he’s fine. He’s just been sleeping in his car and drinking his sorrows away because he’s not on the team anymore and his parents suck. It’s fine. Totally fine. Anyways, at least he has a good friend in Olivia who finds him and convinces him to go to the combine that he was invited to. He does well, too. Even Coach makes sure to tell him that he sees him on the field. This boosts Asher’s spirits. Maybe his football career isn’t over just yet.

Later, Asher goes to talk to Coach before the dinner for the players to humbly thank him for not telling the scouts about getting kicked off the team. Coach doesn’t hesitate to say that if he’s flat-out asked, he won’t lie for Asher. He also warns him not to drag Olivia back down that path. What’s surprising, though, is that Asher doesn’t lie about it either. He almost does, but then he changes his mind and admits to a recruiter that he got himself kicked off the team – he takes the blame and everything! Later, he calls Olivia to the locker room, and he looks defeated. The college recruiter rescinded their offer. BUT Coach Baker gave him his spot back on the team after hearing about his honesty! Woot woot!

Now the question is where will Asher live? Olivia’s got a plan for that too. She asks Leila (and Spencer) if it’s okay that he lives in her house. Awkward, but she makes a point about it being such a big house. While Spencer’s input is warranted, he respectfully leaves the decision up to Leila, and she agrees. This should be interesting.

Also, it’s important to note how this affects Chris and Olivia’s relationship. At first, Chris is disappointed that, instead of supporting him on this big day, Olivia was with Asher the whole time. She apologizes, but also explains that there’s nothing going on with her and Asher. She’s been in Asher’s shoes before, and as an addict, she chooses to put her focus into helping others. As if on cue, Asher calls her, and Chris lets her take it because he understands now.

All American airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW!