Georgia will unveil its new-look, 3-4 defense under first-year coordinator Todd Grantham on Thursday when the Bulldogs open spring practice.

That will be their lone practice until they reconvene after spring break on March 16.

Grantham thinks the Bulldogs have enough of the right body types to run his 3-4. But the 2011 signing class will also be very important in terms of recruiting to that scheme.

Georgia coach Mark Richt says there’s genuine excitement among everybody on defense.

“Let’s face it. It’s about guys who will run and hit and play hard, and we’ve got those kind of guys,” Richt said. “By the end of the spring, we’ll have a better feel if there’s a certain position we may be lighter at than we should be, or maybe we’ll be heavier at one because of the recruitment of a 4-3 compared to a 3-4.

“But, overall, we feel we’ve got at least a two-deep of guys who can play at these positions.”

In particular, the Bulldogs will be looking this spring for players who are flexible and can adjust.

Justin Houston, Cornelius Washington and Montez Robinson were ends in the old 4-3 scheme, but will be moving to outside linebacker, Richt said. Also, converted running back Richard Samuel will start out at outside linebacker.

At the nose position will be DeAngelo Tyson and Kwame Geathers.

Demarcus Dobbs, Brandon Wood and Abry Jones will start out at defensive end.

Richt said Nick Williams will move back to safety, but could still play some linebacker in passing situations.

Warren Belin, who joined the Georgia staff after spending the last eight seasons at Vanderbilt, will coach the inside linebackers. Grantham will work with the outside linebackers.