EJ Holland vs. Sam Webb
Tomorrow we will hear what the plans are for the remaining 2023 recruits including top-of-the-board prospect Nyckoles Harbor. What has been interesting as a way too avid consumer of recruiting info is how different two of our primary recruiting writers feel about this recruitment. I won't share any paywalled info but from what I can tell EJ Holland feels pretty ($) pessimistic, especially in the 11th hour, whereas Sam Webb is ($) holding out hope and thinks Michigan checks all the boxes (stated on his podcast yesterday).
So I wanted to put it to the board: Who do you trust to get the call right? Who's info do you find to be more consistently reliable and balanced? And how do they end up feeling so differently about this very exhaustively covered recruitment?
January 31st, 2023 at 4:00 PM ^
For all of Sam's good qualities he is essentially Baghdad Bob when it comes to propaganda for the program and you have to filter through that lens, anyone who has been paying any attention to this recruitment should have known it was over months ago.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:33 PM ^
I think this is similar to the Walter Nolen recruitment. EJ Holland said long before anyone that Nolan wasn't going with Michigan. But the denial from many fans kept up. They kept talking about Nolen's dad. Lots of people don't want to hear it that the recruit they really want isn't going to be on their team. Sam Webb seems to be one of those who has a tendency to be in denial like that. Or maybe he is that way because he's playing to his audience, i.e., those who are in denial. Either way, I tuned him out a few years ago.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:02 PM ^
Prediction? PAIN for Michigan.
Seriously, he’ll commit to Oregon because they are throwing pay for play money at him and they are playing up this track dream that will go nowhere.
He’ll get to Oregon’s campus and try to become an 2024 Olympic sprinter at 225 lbs., but find it difficult to do that and do any football training because he’ll gain too much muscle weight. He’ll miss the Olympics, quit the track team, commit to football, outgrow WR and become an athletic but smaller tight end who does not like to block. After a decent career, he’ll get drafted by the NFL because of his measurables have a middling pro career and disappear after 4 years. You’re welcome. Send me your money for more predictions.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:35 PM ^
Really, this is a false dichotomy to pit them against each other.
If Sam is "optimistic" and thinks Michigan has a puncher's chance while E.J. is "pessimistic" and thinks Michigan has no chance because they're, say, #3, what difference does it make?
There's only one winner when it comes to recruiting. All that matters is where Harbor signs. Everybody else is just wasting their time arguing about who's #2 or #3 or #4 in a recruitment.
January 31st, 2023 at 4:45 PM ^
EJ Holland, Sam never knew a prospect that wasn’t coming here.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:08 PM ^
If you could wager on it, I would put down a hefty sum on "Harbor not coming to Michigan"
January 31st, 2023 at 5:11 PM ^
What would the odds be? I'd bet more at 12:1 than I would at 1:1
January 31st, 2023 at 5:10 PM ^
People need to just NOT TRASH KIDS that don't choose Michigan, especially in this Transfer Portal Era!
January 31st, 2023 at 5:18 PM ^
I don’t subscribe but Sam seems way more entertaining and connected. EJ Holland types are a dime a dozen. So what if he is more pessimistic about a player that doesn’t choose Michigan? Is that what you’re paying for?
January 31st, 2023 at 5:22 PM ^
Beware the Sam Webb Kool-Aid.
EJ Holland is clearly more reliable.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:35 PM ^
I don't think either is "right or wrong," they both suggest it likely won't go Michigan's way, but their styles in delivering news differs in that Sam is the eternal optimist and EJ is more of a "realist" (I'm not going to call him a pessimist).
That being said, I think there's a greater than zero, but less than 1 percent chance Harbor is committing to Michigan.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:45 PM ^
One of the best tells from recruitniks is when they say the player likes x but the parents like Michigan. This never ends up going Michigan's way. The kids pick.
January 31st, 2023 at 5:46 PM ^
As someone who has paid for both sites at various times in the past: Both guys operate in good faith and do real work of their own (OFTEN not the case) so “beef” is dumb.
January 31st, 2023 at 6:45 PM ^
One thing I trust, if Sam’s gut isn’t rumbling Harbor isn’t coming to UM. He’ll be a good target in the portal after Olympics
January 31st, 2023 at 6:59 PM ^
My gut is telling me Harbor is going to Oregon to do track first and foremost, football is 2nd to track...from what I am reading and hearing.
Which, ok, if you pick Oregon for track as #1, hard to compete with that program.... the holy grail of track programs. Can't be mad about that decision.
January 31st, 2023 at 7:38 PM ^
EJ Holland….
January 31st, 2023 at 8:10 PM ^
I hate to disparage anyone, but I always feel dirty after watching E.J.’s YTs
January 31st, 2023 at 8:21 PM ^
Holland is a carnival barker imo. He likes to sell negativity to generate clicks & everyone is always a danger to decommit. Sam sounds more positive to ppl who needs things spelled out for them. If Sam hasn't given a gut call or crystal ball, then it's likely Michigan isn't getting the recruit.
January 31st, 2023 at 8:57 PM ^
I’ll stand with Sam over anyone .
January 31st, 2023 at 8:59 PM ^
We will never get a big fish with what’s happening around college football right now . NIL will prevail no matter how you sugar cost it . Open it up or stay with 3 and 4 star central
February 1st, 2023 at 8:34 AM ^
Sam is a good guy...well-meaning...the definition of a homer. He's more of an entertainer. I am not sure if he is a positive or negative for Michigan with his interactions with recruits.
EJ is a reporter-an information gatherer. He sticks more to the facts of recruiting. A very reality-based straight-shooter.
Both Sam and EJ have their role. I tend to gravitate more to EJ's role and style than Sam's.