While working furiously to lure five-star defensive lineman Terry Beckner Jr. to Mizzou once the dead period ends, the Tigers coaching staff will also try and make sure none of the program’s current 15 commits flip prior to signing day in February.

One of the gems Mizzou thinks it has locked down is four-star running back Natereace Strong, a longtime commit who is rated by 247Sports as the fourth-best player overall from Illinois. Strong has offers from Florida State and Ohio State, programs who could jump back into the mix later this month if other pieces in those respective classes don’t fall into place.

RELATED: Assessing Mizzou’s current 2015 recruiting class

During SEC Championship week, Mizzou coach Gary Pinkel flew by helicopter to check in on Beckner and Strong. If both players sign, Beckner would likely start as a true freshman up front on a defense that lost Markus Golden and Shane Ray while Strong would handle second-team duties in the backfield behind returning top rusher Russell Hansbrough.