All American season 5 begins with an All American: Homecoming crossover, but it missed an obvious and perfect storyline. Six weeks after All American season 4 and All American: Homecoming season 1 ended, the main characters from both shows interact days before Christmas. This meant seeing the progression of several storylines that were left unresolved before, including more fallout of Jordan and Simone's romance ending. One of the many stories included Cam returning to Crenshaw for the first time since going to college, which brings out a different side of him. His former friends and rivals get to witness his newfound love for singing, but no one knows he's struggling with figuring out how to pay for his Bringston tuition.
Cam's story in the All American season 5 premiere sets up more of his arc that will unfold in All American: Homecoming season 2, but the crossover episode used him incorrectly. One of the other subplots unfolding in the premiere is Layla trying to recruit new artists to join her record label, only to learn that they have already been signed by her rival Clay, who now runs Layla's father's label. Layla and Cam's storylines do not overlap in All American season 5 despite her coming to an open mic night right as Cam is singing on stage. It would seem that Layla should have tried to sign Cam as a chance for him to seriously pursue his music career and as a means for him to pay for tuition at Bringston University.
Why Didn’t Layla or Clay Try To Sign Cam?
It is quite odd that neither Layla nor Clay attempted to sign Cam in All American season 5, episode 1. He has a great voice and impressed plenty of people who were at the party. It does make more sense that Clay would not try to sign the All American: Homecoming cast member. Despite what he said about not everything he does being about Layla, him swooping in to sign one of the singers she wanted is a sign that is not entirely true. If Layla was not showing any interest in signing him for For Monica Records, then Clay likely would not consider Cam for his record label.
Layla not trying to sign Cam in All American season 5 is less easy to explain. It is possible that she might not think that he has any interest in pursuing music as a career. As far as Layla knows, Cam is still going to pursue his football dreams and try to make it to the NFL like Spencer. So, instead of potentially wasting her time recruiting him, she may have simply overlooked him. But with Layla seemingly striking out at signing new artists to increase her label's reputation, signing someone like Cam could have been a smart move.
Cam’s Music Could Solve His Tuition Problems For Good
Even though Cam did not sign with Layla or Clay in All American season 5, episode 1, it is a good reminder that music could be the answer to his tuition problems. Instead of taking on odd jobs and doing work he does not enjoy and is embarrassed by, Cam could pursue singing more seriously. All American: Homecoming season 2 might be better suited to explore this story, but it does seem like the answer to Cam's tuition problems is right in front of him as long as he is willing to make a massive life change.