The Noles recently offered 2011 recruit 6-foot-3, 205 pound junior defensive end Ryan Shazier out of Plantation HS. Superprep.com had an article up about it, but to me the real story that came from the article was that the offer came from James Coley and when they dicussed what position he was going to play coach Coley told him they might switch to a 3-4 alignment next year and he would be a Linebacker.

Don't know if that's a hint or a tell in which direction we might be looking or leaning as far as denfensive cordinators are concerned but It got me thinking about are current defensive rosters and what guys could or would be moved around, phased out and who could potentiality start next year in a 3-4 scheme. I'm not sure what a 3-4 scheme would mean for our back 4  next year but I suppose we could go with more coverage oriented safety's and a guy like Nick Moody could be squeezed out.

The front 7 would obviously be where the real dramatic shift would take place. With defensive tackles possibly moving outside, defensive ends moving up and some of are lighter linebackers being completly phased out. Jamar Jackson, Toshmon Stevens, Brandon Jenkins and most intriguingly Marcus White would all more than likely become stand up rush linebackers. Demonte McAllister and Dan Hicks would slide out to defensive end. Not sure on Jaccobi's current weight but he's certainly strong enough and plays with enough leverage to man the middle even though he's not a perfect fit for a 3-4 shceme. The most interesting guy in this move depending on who we signed out of the JUCO ranks would be Moses McCray IMO. If we signed one or possibly even two bulky DTs (Charles Deas, ?) we could conceivably start Moses and possibibly even Justin Mincey if he intrested in returning and gets a medical redshirt at defensive end giving us a pretty imposing front line.

How some of the linebacker would fit I'm not sure. Mauric Harris would obviously be gone (probably will be any way.)  Gresham would most likely be toast as well being that a couple of our outside guys would probably slide inside. The two guys with talent that I'm not sure if or where they would fit would be Mister Alexander and Everett Dawkins. Alexander is a rocket out of a 3 point stance and it's almost criminal that he hasn't been in on more long down and distance situations this year. But I'm not sure how effective he is rushing the passer standing up, although I guess the same could be said about any of the defensive ends moving up also. And poor Everett's been moved around so much I'm not sure he even knows what positon he plays anymore. I've never really gotten a feel for what type of pass rushing threat he is but I suppose I could see him having a place on goal line and rushing downs as a runstopping 3-4 outside backer.

As far as insidebackers go I could see one or even possibly both Nigel's sliding inside, (although moving both inside would create quite a glut of upperclassmen in the middle.) But if we paired Bradham inside with Kendall, or a  healthy Vince Williams and leave Carr outside with say Markus White that would give us a decent blend of size, athletism and experience. With maybe our starting unit looking somethnig like this

DE - Moses McCray 6-3 300 (Jr.)

NT -  Jacobi McDaniel 6- ?? (So.)/ or maybe Charles Deas 6-4 340

DE - Justin Mincey 6-5 280 (RSr.)

OLB - Marcus White 6-4 261 (RSr.)

ILB - Nigel Bradham 6-2 235 (Jr.)

ILB - Kendall Smith 6-1 230 (Sr.) or hopefully Vince Williams 6-0 245 (RSo.)

OLB - Nigel Carr 6-3 230 (Jr.)

CB - Greg Reid 5-9 175 (So.)

S -  Jajuan Harley 6-2 210 (So.) or Nick Moody 6-1 235 (RSo.)

S - Terrence Parks 6-1 200 (Jr.) although he could also move back to Corner if we sign Joyner as a safety prospect

CB - Dionte Allen 5-11 172 (RJr.) or Ochuko Jenije 5-10 188 (RSr.)

Anybody have any thoughts on this? Besides this post being ridiculously long, like who you'd see moving where, starting and who you'd see not having a fit anymore?