Nobody runs 34 or 43 more than like 20% of plays regardless what your base defense is. This is college football and there aren't all that many teams running the wing-t anymore - especially relevant to us since GTech doesn't do that anymore. Nickel packages are like >50% of what defenses run. Dime might be used more often than base defenses at this point. But that should work to our strength - athletes.
I like the 43 just because I think that it fits the type of athlete we traditionally have had and is typically is more aggressive. It's more traditionally the 1 gap just let the Dlineman get upfield and penetrate type defense and usually protects the ilbs from guards more, whereas the 34 typically has more 2-gap assignments from the Dl - especially the NT - and the ilbs usually aren't as protected from guards since besides the NT the other Dlineman are typically in >=5techs (over tackle). That's why traditionally you'd see 34 ILBs being like the 250lb+ guys while in the 43 you didn't see as many hulk type figures. .... But today, defenses are a lot more multiple than ever before and the 34 isn't about having just huge guys any more.. Ultimately the 34 base has a higher ceiling. I do think nailing the NT position will probably be one of the most important aspects of our defensive recruiting, and a place where we need to recruit nationally. I'm not worried at all any other position tbh. Just get a top ******* NT and the 34 will work here.