Charlie Strong not only raised the Cardinals' level of play in his first year as the team's head coach in 2010, he carried that over to the recruiting arena as well.

The 20-player incoming class was rated the best in the Big East by Rivals.com. It carries the Strong stamp, particularly the geographic one. Thirteen of the signees come from Florida, where Strong grew to prominence as the defensive coordinator and top recruiter for the SEC's Florida Gators.

But Strong didn't make a big deal out of the new kids in town. There wasn't a big Signing Day party with food and videos of the incoming freshmen. In fact, one of his key quotes at his press conference was a message he gave to the recruits: "We aren't going to become them. They are going to become us."

Strong has already had a huge impact on the football culture at the school, with practices more rigorous and games more disciplined. The Cardinals showed the results on the field, ending a three-year absence from the postseason and topping Southern Mississippi to win the Beef O'Brady's Bowl in December.

That earned him Big East Coach of the Year honors, and negotiations for a raise and an extension began soon after the final whistle. But building on that will be challenging. The losses to graduation are sizable, particularly in the offensive skill positions, where the Cardinals will need to replace its top two quarterbacks, running back Bilal Powell, and wide receiver Doug Beaumont.

The task of settling on successors will begin in spring practice, and will continue again over the summer when most of the incoming recruits arrive on campus. Based on what happened in Strong's first year, it won't take them long to assimilate into the new Cardinals culture.

TOP OF THE CLASS

QB Teddy Bridgewater (Northwestern HS, Miami, Fla.) -- Would Charlie Strong really start a true freshman under center this Fall? He might, considering Adam Froman and Justin Burke both graduate. Bridgewater is one of the top athletic quarterbacks in the incoming class, and helped his chances for early playing time by enrolling early for the spring semester, meaning he will be able to compete in spring practice.

DE Bryant Dubose (Northeast HS, Oakland Park, Fla.) -- Dubose was a coup for coach Charlie Strong, as the standout defensive end de-committed from Miami at the last minute to sign with the Cardinals. The three-star prospect rates as one of the top defensive linemen in the class.

S Gerod Holliman (Southridge HS, Miami, Fla.) -- Holliman, who originally committed to Ole Miss, is a playmaker who excelled on both sides of the ball in high school. His natural instincts, athletic ability and nose for the give him a chance to make an immediate contribution for the Cardinals.

Copyright (C) 2011 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.