In just a few days, LSU will step onto the practice field for the first time in 2015, kicking off spring practice on March 7. On the defensive side, one of the phrases you may begin to hear is “multiple defense.”

New defensive coordinator Steele comes directly from Alabama, known for its 3-4 defense, and the sense is that Steele wants to eventually get the Tigers there. It won’t be a one-year shift, though.

Under Steele, LSU is likely to stick to a base 4-3 defense. Steele has run a “4-3 under” alignment for much of his career, a formation that has the strongside linebacker line up over tight end and the strongside defensive end lining up right over left tackle. While LSU will use a lot of that formation in Steele’s first year, you can expect to see a variation in defensive alignments, something several LSU players and the head coach have said in the media since Steele’s hiring.

“I want to do both. I want to make sure we have elements of the 4-3 package ingrained and I’d like the opportunity to be open in certain situations,” Les Miles told ESPN in January.

This season, LSU will be counting on several former part-timers and inexperienced players to fill the various roles in Steele’s defense. Middle linebacker Kendell Beckwith and outside linebacker Lamar Louis return to their starting roles. After them, the depth chart gets a little murky.

Names like Deion Jones and Duke Riley both played reserve roles last season, while former five-star Clifton Garrett took a redshirt and freshman Donnie Alexander played mostly on special teams. In all, LSU returns just seven scholarship linebackers with any playing experience.

Steele’s scheme will allow LSU’s versatile linebackers group a chance to show what they can do before a presumably linebacker-heavy recruiting class in 2016. Louis has been overshadowed by talented teammates like Kwon Alexander, but could well blossom in Steele’s multiple looks. Playing more 3-4 could also give Garrett a chance to get on the field alongside Beckwith, who looks to be entrenched at middle linebacker for at least one more season.

Regardless of formation, LSU’s defense under Steele will likely be a departure from John Chavis’ favored formations. The Chief liked to use defensive back-heavy nickel and dime alignments. While Steele will have just as much talent in the secondary, all indications are that he’ll want to keep his linebackers on the field.

Spring practice will give a first glimpse at what changes Steele has in mind for the defense. While he likely won’t unveil all the new wrinkles he has planned, he’ll start to implement his multiple looks, getting LSU’s linebackers ready for a season in which their responsibilities could shift on a game-to-game basis.