[msqueri]

From the discussion here on personnel, it sounds like Anderson, using smaller, quicker Edge players we are not fielding an NFL (or classic Bama / Clemson) 4-3.
It's really a 2-5-4, with an LB blitzing a lot. Non?

The reason it's at least somewhat useful in my opinion to think about it as 4-3 or a 4-2-5 when in nickel is that the edge players are going to play up on the line more often. Armitage in particular is an obvious fit for this. Otherwise, we'll see what mix of DE vs. Sam LB duties the edge players have. I suspect we'll see a mix of 4-3, 3-3-5, and 4-2-5. If the coaches are to believed having more four man fronts than last year is one of the fundamental changes, which would mean counting edge as part of the front.

Regarding the prototype and how closely Stanford will mirror other models, I think it is worth bearing in mind that they'll do what they can with their personnel. We are going to be light up front no matter what because our DL are tiny. But that doesn't mean what we see this year is what we envision as the new defensive scheme. As we're seeing in recruiting, the coaches are trying to transform the roster for a new scheme. But that will take time.

[msqueri]

From the discussion here on personnel, it sounds like Anderson, using smaller, quicker Edge players we are not fielding an NFL (or classic Bama / Clemson) 4-3.
It's really a 2-5-4, with an LB blitzing a lot. Non?

The reason it's at least somewhat useful in my opinion to think about it as 4-3 or a 4-2-5 when in nickel is that the edge players are going to play up on the line more often. Armitage in particular is an obvious fit for this. Otherwise, we'll see what mix of DE vs. Sam LB duties the edge players have. I suspect we'll see a mix of 4-3, 3-3-5, and 4-2-5. If the coaches are to believed having more four man fronts than last year is one of the fundamental changes, which would mean counting edge as part of the front.

Regarding the prototype and how closely Stanford will mirror other models, I think it is worth bearing in mind that they'll do what they can with their personnel. We are going to be light up front no matter what because our DL are tiny. But that doesn't mean what we see this year is what we envision as the new defensive scheme. As we're seeing in recruiting, the coaches are trying to transform the roster for a new scheme. But that will take time.