FIU football tinkering with a hybrid defense under new coordinator Jovan Dewitt

FIU defensive tackle Davon Strickland feels the change.

“It’s definitely different,” Strickland said about the Panthers defense under coach Mike MacIntyre and coordinator Jovan Dewitt. “Last year [under coach Butch Davis], we ran more of a 4-3. This year, it’s 3-4-ish.

“Technique and some of our steps are different. I’m going to be [aligned] over the center [as opposed to the gap between center and guards] a lot more.”

It’s interesting that Strickland called FIU’s defense “3-4-ish” because that’s actually very accurate.

Dewitt, who has coached linebackers the past six years on college teams that ran 3-4 systems at North Carolina, Nebraska and UCF, also has experience on 4-3 defenses.

That latter list includes his stops at Army, FAU and Northern Iowa.

In other words, he’s not married to any one system.

“We’re going to be pretty multiple [at FIU],” Dewitt said. “We’re trying to fit our personnel. The roster has changed a bit from the spring to the fall, with guys getting healthy and some players who are new to the program.

“We’re looking at different avenues to maximize [our talent]. For example, most of our [top] defensive backs were out all spring.”

One of the returning members of the secondary is 6-4 safety Dorian Hall, who has overcome health issues.

“He’s got natural leadership skills,” Dewitt said, “and anytime you are [6-4] and can run like he can, you get excited. He is super rangy, and he has football savvy.”

It’s just one week into fall camp. It’s early, but, even so, it looks like Hall and Pierce Withers have a shot to be FIU’s starting safeties. Withers, a 5-11, 190-pounder, is in his fifth year of college — three at Texas State and two at FIU.

Dewitt also mentioned second-year collegian Demetrius Hill as a factor in the safety competition. Hill, a 6-2, 190-pounder, played at Miami Springs High and is an intriguing talent.

At cornerback, two veterans have impressed: Henry Gray, who started his career at the University of Nebraska; and Jamal Potts, a third-year player from Delray Beach who has excellent height at 6-2.

But Dewitt has also noticed the play of a pair of true freshmen: Hezekiah Masses, who is from Deerfield Beach; and Larry Preston, from Apopka.

“Cornerback is a work in progress,” Dewitt said.

Donovan Manuel, a transfer from East Tennessee State, has quickly become a leader among the inside linebackers, a group that also includes Reggie Peterson and Gaethan Bernadel.

“[Manuel] doesn’t get rattled,” Dewitt said. “He’s had a lot of reps [in 34 games over four years at East Tennessee State]. He’s the old man of our group.”

Dewitt said he likes what he has seen from converted linebacker Shaun Peterson, who has terrific speed. He and Syracuse transfer Latarie Kinsler have looked good as what Dewitt called “hybrid” outside linebackers/defensive ends.

Players who have impressed at outside linebacker/defensive end also include Alex Nobles, a transfer from North Carolina; Luke Knox, an Ole Miss transfer; and Keegan Davis, who has gained 15 pounds of muscle since the spring.

Up front on the interior of the defensive line, true freshman Steven Shannon has made a mark. In addition, junior-college transfer Will Prendergast has made a “massive improvement” since the spring, according to Dewitt.

And then there’s Strickland, who is regarded as perhaps FIU’s best defensive player.

In the 3-4 system, he may face more double-team blocks, but he can still contribute by occupying two or more offensive linemen, which will free up FIU’s linebackers and pass rushers to make plays.

“It’s a lot of just trying to make a mess at the line of scrimmage,” Strickland said. “If we [interior defensive linemen] can clog up some of those holes, it makes it easier for the ‘backers and ends.”