quote:
In today's CFB, finding a true nose-guard to play the A gap(s) is a very difficult thing to do. Has to be big, 300+ lbs so he can't be pushed around, and strong enough to defeat double teams but also very quick latterly. Those three things usually don't go together (pick any two). Usually guys don't emerge as true nose-guards util they get to the NFL and develop physically a little more.

That's where UGA's being able to recruit the way they do helps them run that formation that many other teams can't pull off because they can't find the guys to run it properly. It's why many (most) CFB teams revert to some form of 4 down linemen on defense.

While that's all true, it's not like Bama can't recruit as well as UGA.

UGA did have generational guys in 2021 (Jordan Davis) and 2022 (Jalen Carter). But last year was a more "standard" guy (still very good in Nazir Stackhouse) and UGA was still one of the best teams in the nation defensively.

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Posted by Lonnie Utah

Utah!

Member since Jul 2012

24048 posts

Posted on 2/21/24 at 4:41 pm to DawginSC

quote:
While that's all true, it's not like Bama can't recruit as well as UGA.

UGA did have generational guys in 2021 (Jordan Davis) and 2022 (Jalen Carter). But last year was a more "standard" guy (still very good in Nazir Stackhouse) and UGA was still one of the best teams in the nation defensively.

I agree with everything you said. Elite recruiting is why those two teams are able to run a base defense with 3 down linemen AND are some of the most successful in CFB in the recent past. The two things are part and parcel.

While there are advantages and disadvantages to 3 vs 4 down linemen on defense, most teams don't have to studs up front to run a true 3 man DL scheme. Therefore, they are forced to go with 4 "smaller" guys on their defensive front. UGA and Bama are talented enough that their packages can float back and forth depending on in game situations...