What Happened To Wade Waters In All American Season 4 (& Why He Returns)

Summary Wade Waters returns in All American season 6 after his arrest in season 4 for swatting, sparking curiosity about his redemption.

Wade is reinstated as the Coastal California Manta Rays' QB in season 6, showing Coach Asher's belief in second chances.

Actor Cody Christian reflects on Wade's surprising return, hinting at his potential growth or lack thereof in the series.

Wade Waters returns in All American season 6 after being absent throughout season 5, which raises several questions about what happened to him in season 4 and what marks his return. First introduced in All American season 4, Wade Waters was a recurring character. From his early appearances, he was established as a talented quarterback for GAU (Golden Angeles University), who often misused his position of power on the team.

Portrayed by Christian James, Wade Waters was always a morally ambiguous character because of his questionable actions and arrogant demeanor. However, towards All American season 4's ending, he took things a little too far, leading to his sudden departure from his team and the overarching series. Surprisingly, however, season 6 reinstates him, seemingly paving the way for his potential redemption.

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What Did Wade Waters Do In All American Season 4?

Wade Waters Was Arrested For Swatting

Almost throughout All American season 4, Wade Waters did a series of things that eventually led to his downfall. It all started with Wade posting a picture of Olivia on the fictional social media platform Yard Yack and publicly calling her two-faced. Towards the end of the season, he seemingly dug his own grave by faking a report and calling the cops to the Baker house. While he did not foresee the consequences of his actions, many students in the Baker home had guns pointed at their heads by law enforcers.

Although the situation de-escalated peacefully, someone could have even died at the Bake home because of Wade's mistake. In All American season 4's episode 20, the cops trace the prank call back to Wade. As a result, they arrest him for "swatting," marking the end of his journey in the series. In his arrest's aftermath, Jordan tries to tell Wade's team members the truth about what had happened. However, they refuse to believe him, claiming he was set up.

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Why Wade Waters Returns In All American Season 6

Wade Replaces Coastal California Manta Rays' QB

Wade Waters is not in the show throughout season 5, but season 6 brings him back with a compelling twist. In All American season 6, the Coastal California Manta Rays loses its starting quarterback when he gets a severe Achilles tendon injury. In an effort to desperately replace the quarterback with someone worthy, Coach Asher settles for Wade, marking his return to football even though it looked like his arrest had doomed his future. Coach Asher also believes that Wade deserves a second chance despite his past actions.

Actor Cody Christian, who plays Asher in All American, addressed Wade Waters' return in All American by recalling how it "totally surprised" him. He also added that "enough time has passed when the audience has made peace with what he’s done to the group." However, before being completely optimistic about Wade's future in the series, Christian also commented that only time will tell whether Wade has grown during his off-screen journey in All American or remained the same despite facing the dire consequences of his actions.