Michael Evans Behling: The Pre-Med Track Star Who Became The CW’s Jordan Baker
Michael Evans Behling spent eight years playing Jordan Baker on All American, a role he held from the CW series’ first episode in 2018 through its finale on September 28, 2026. Before that, he was a hurdler on a track scholarship studying biochemistry, with a medical career in mind. Now that the show has ended, he has a growing list of film credits, a fashion-brand partnership, and a clothing line of his own.
Early Life in Indiana
Behling was born on March 5, 1996, in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Columbus, Indiana, on 10 acres of land. He describes himself as a country boy, and he grew up playing a range of sports, including volleyball, football, and track and field, where he ran events like the 4×400 relay and hurdles. His parents are Mike and Carol Behling.
His family also steered him toward medicine. At 16, he developed an interest in the profession while watching his grandfather, a cardiovascular surgeon, help people heal, and his mother worked as an operating room nurse and health educator.
Indiana State and a Change of Plans
Behling followed that path to Indiana State University in Terre Haute, where he earned an athletic scholarship and studied pre-med, including a biochemistry track, while competing in the 400-meter hurdles. During college, he started modeling, and the people around him eventually convinced him to audition for acting roles. After two years at Indiana State, he left to train for a career in entertainment.
Commercials and an Early Break
Behling’s early work was in commercials, with appearances for brands including White Castle, Isotoner, Nike, Finish Line, Jordan Brand, True Religion, Reiss, Kitson, and Microsoft. In 2017, he booked a role on the series Empire, which his bio credits with launching his television and film career. That small part led to a casting for a new sports drama on The CW.
All American
Behling won a main role on All American as Jordan Baker, a talented quarterback and the son of Coach Billy Baker (Taye Diggs). The series premiered on The CW on October 10, 2018, and ran for 132 episodes across eight seasons, ending on September 28, 2026, with the finale “To Live and Die in L.A.” Behling is one of the few original cast members who stayed with the show through all eight seasons, and he also reprised the role as a special guest in four episodes of the spin-off All American: Homecoming in 2022.
The role changed a great deal over the years. Jordan began as an angry, brooding teenager and grew into a husband to Layla (Greta Onieogou) and a high school football coach who mentors a new generation, much like his father did. In a July 2026 interview, Behling said that playing that growth for eight years had been fantastic, and that he’d been on “so many life journeys” himself over that time involving health, love, and family. He called the final season a “love letter” to fans, set over a single week. He and co-star Nathaniel Logan McIntyre have said they believe the show could return in some form in the future.
Other Film and TV Work
Alongside All American, Behling guest-starred in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy in 2019. In 2021, he starred in A Cinderella Story: Starstruck on HBO Max as Jackson Stone, a famous actor and singer who brings big-city charm to a small town. More recent credits include the 2025 short Vipers, on which he is both an actor and an executive producer, and the 2025 adventure film The Queen’s Jewels. He has also completed Cookbook for Southern Housewives and is listed for an upcoming 2026 series, Sooper Doods.
Modeling and Fashion
Behling has also built a modeling career. In 2023, he joined Giorgio Armani Beauty’s Gen A talent collective and fronted the campaign for Acqua di Giò Parfum alongside Chase Stokes, Jonathan Daviss, and Lukas Gage, with related brand events including Milan Fashion Week appearances.
DesignedAt5AM
Behling is also an entrepreneur. He co-founded the clothing line DesignedAt5AM with three high school friends: Nicholas Stevens, Drew Thompson, and Floyd Athaide.
Causes and Community
Behling is known for advocating for animal rights and mental health awareness. He has also been involved in youth programs with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Personal Life
Behling lives in the Los Angeles area. When he isn’t filming, he enjoys hiking and other outdoor activities with friends and family. He has kept details of his romantic life private, and no reliable source confirms a relationship, so none is included here.
Net Worth and Salary
Behling has not publicly disclosed his net worth or salary. The CW does not publish what its series regulars earn, and no reliable source gives a figure. Aggregator sites sometimes publish estimates, but they rarely cite any basis, so treat any specific number as an unverified guess.
Quick Facts
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Evans Behling |
| Born | March 5, 1996, Columbus, Ohio |
| Raised in | Columbus, Indiana |
| Height | 6’2″ |
| Education | Indiana State University (track scholarship; pre-med; left after two years) |
| Known for | Jordan Baker on All American (2018–2026) |
| Other credits | All American: Homecoming; Grey’s Anatomy; A Cinderella Story: Starstruck; Vipers; The Queen’s Jewels |
| Brand work | Giorgio Armani Beauty Gen A; Acqua di Giò Parfum campaign |
| Business | Co-founder, DesignedAt5AM |
| Lives in | Los Angeles area |
FAQ
What is Michael Evans Behling best known for?
He’s best known for playing Jordan Baker on The CW’s All American for all eight seasons, from 2018 to 2026.
Did Michael Evans Behling play college sports?
Yes. He earned an athletic scholarship to Indiana State University, where he ran the 400-meter hurdles, before leaving college to pursue acting.
When did All American end?
The series finale, “To Live and Die in L.A.,” aired on The CW on September 28, 2026, after eight seasons and 132 episodes.
What else has Michael Evans Behling worked on?
His credits include Empire, Grey’s Anatomy, A Cinderella Story: Starstruck, and the 2025 projects Vipers and The Queen’s Jewels. He also co-founded the clothing line DesignedAt5AM.
From Pre-Med to Prime Time
Michael Evans Behling’s path from a biochemistry major to a television lead shows how often careers turn on one decision, in his case leaving college and training as an actor. After eight years on a single show, he’s now building out a wider career as an actor, producer, model, and business owner.
