‘All American: Homecoming’ Is a Big-Hearted, Worthy Spinoff: TV Review

variety.com:

Daniel D'Addario Chief TV CriticThe CW’s “All American” has had a successful run — a notably successful one, on a network dominated by superhero programming — taking on stories about high school football.

Now, a spinoff shifts the action to college baseball and tennis, but keeps the source material’s focus on Black youth. It’s a strong drama that will likely lure in both franchise fans and new viewers.Executive produced by, among others, Nkechi Okoro Carroll and CW megaproducer Greg Berlanti, “All American: Homecoming” follows Simone (Geffri Maya), a series regular on the original “All American,” as she heads to the fictional HBCU Bringston University.

There, she’s trying to find her way onto the tennis team; another storyline follows Damon (Peyton Alex Smith), an aspirant baseball superstar whose talent is balanced by a fierce individuality that can fly in the face of the team ethos.

Issues of collegiate athletics enter the frame, not without accompanying soap suds. The baseball team is rebuilding after an academic scandal forced most of the team out; Simone’s aunt, a journalism professor who blew the whistle (Kelly Jenrette), faces career consequences for standing in the way of athletic achievement, while Damon is under intense pressure to lead the team’s revival.