The CW’s sports drama All American is losing a star player.

Series lead Daniel Ezra, who has played rising high school football star Spencer James since the show’s debut, will not return as a series regular for season 7, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed. Ezra is expected to make guest appearances.

Monday’s episode of the current season 6, titled “Victory Lap,” saw Ezra’s character at long last being drafted into the NFL, concluding with a time jump that showed Spencer playing at the Super Bowl and proposing to girlfriend Olivia (Samantha Logan).

Deadline reported that the departure was a creative decision made between Ezra and showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll before production began on season 6, disputing rumors of a budget cut.

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“After making the difficult decision to leave All American, my sole focus became completing the journey of the most life-affirming character I’ve ever played in the manner he deserves,” Ezra said in a statement to Deadline. “Thanks to Nkechi and the writers, I got my wish. Season 6 is Spencer’s goodbye. I’ll miss him. I’ll miss our cast and crew. I hope it’s been as fun to watch him as it has been to play him.”

A rep for Ezra didn’t immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.

All American premiered in 2018 and followed Ezra’s football player as he transferred from South Crenshaw High to a new school and team in Beverly Hills. The show recently bid farewell to the late Kamar de los Reyes, who died late last year from cancer, and his character Coach Montes in an episode that aired in early June. The show wrapped up Coach Montes’ storyline by revealing he had taken a job with the NFL.