Granted I'm not a DC nor am I some talent guru but my first thought is our defense is more suited for a 3-4 than a 4-3. Almost all of our DE's are 255 and less with only Lippert at 280. Our DE's are more or less LB's in a 4-3 scheme. Now look at most schools around the ACC and most of their DE's are 260 or heavier. If we went to a 3-4 our front would be Donald, Ezzel and Render. I'm unsure if Murphy could make the transition to OLB but I'm sure Price could make the adjustment. Then you slide Thomas to the middle w/ Gordan w/ the other outside spot between Galampos, Caprara, and Bradley.

I think this alignment would not only be bigger but faster w/ the players we have

OLB Price DE Donald DT Ezzel DE Render OLB Galampos

MLB Gordon MLB Thomas

I think it would probably be a big adjustment for them to make at this juncture. I think the bottom line is that any way that we can maximize the havoc Donald can create is good for the defense. If a 3-4 did that then go for it.

Yea no doubt about that. We're lacking something just about everywhere: Do we have the depth at current LB and DT/NG to play 3-4? Do we have enough depth in the secondary to play a 3-3-5?

You always hear "balance" talked about in a positive light in regards to the makeup of football teams. I guess it doesn't work when balanced means you're just weak across the board, though.