Best way to use atheletes

if you are looking to utilize as many athletes as possible, I suggest a 3-4. Here you can utilize 4 linebackers and 4 defensive backs with only 3 defensive linemen. This is the best Defense to use when you want to win with athletes and not linemen. We run it, and I coach at a catholic school with athletes and ZERO linemen. I wish you luck.

Coach,

The reality is that with good athletes, you can pretty much run whatever system or defense you are most comfortable with and still have success. Run with what you know and love, and adapt your scheme to fit your current athletes.

Just to give an example, we ran a 50 defense this past season with a number of phenomenal athletes. But "50" doesn't mean we put 5 big non-athletes on the field. We put 2 of our most disciplined aggressive athletes at the DE position, and had them rushing, dropping, and squeezing. It was almost like running a 3-4 with those guys as the OLB's. We had a big, strong track guy at NG. He only weighs about 180, but he's tough and drew a double team on almost every snap. He also was 5th on the team in tackles after our 2 ILB's and 2 SS's.

We played a 4-across look in the secondary, with our safeties rolled up in tight, playing an aggressive robber-like rotation / run support based on backfield and QB action. Then, our 2 best pure athletes played the CB positions. So, we found a way to maximize our athleticism, experience and aggressiveness and still stay in our base defense. I'd recommend the same. I'm sure your existing system is sound. Just "ramp it up" a little bit!