We’re inside of 24 hours until ink hits paper in college football, the most important day of the offseason in the SEC as touted prep seniors sign binding letters of intent.

Will Terry Beckner Jr. sign with Missouri on Wednesday?

That’s the biggest question emanating from Columbia, Mo., hours before National Signing Day. The five-star DT from East St. Louis potentially represents one of the most talented high school players ever to select Missouri’s football program. He’ll announce his decision at 10:45 a.m. ET.

RELATED: Announcement times for the SEC’s top uncommitted prospects

At 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Beckner Jr. is athletic and versatile enough to play nose guard, three-technique or five-technique. In other words, he would give Mizzou an instant-impact player with the ability to rush the quarterback, stuff the run and perhaps develop into yet another NFL defensive lineman from the program.

It’s an important class for the Tigers, which want to make best use of back-to-back SEC East titles. Losing out on by far the best local player in the 2015 class would not be a vote of confidence. But adding Beckner Jr. to an already-solid class by Mizzou standards, including heralded QB Drew Lock, would be cause for celebration.

Atlanta-based DT DaQuan Hawkins, also 6-foot-4 and about 300 pounds, took an official visit to Missouri last weekend. He’ll decide between Georgia and Missouri, though he reportedly is leaning toward the Bulldogs. A bit of an afterthought now for the Tigers since the team successfully flipped St. Louis DE Nate Howard from Wisconsin a few days ago, it’s unclear if the team would have room for him if Beckner Jr. signs.

Hawkins will announce his decision at 8:30 a.m. ET.

National Signing Day always is a nervous time for head coaches and fans, as nothing is official until the faxes arrive. It’s unusual for a player who commits to a school just days before to flip. But high schoolers can be finicky. For example, Josh Moore, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound recruit who would play defensive end at Missouri, already has been committed to three different schools (Ohio State, Kansas and then the Tigers).

Outside of Beckner Jr. and Hawkins, Mizzou fans will want to watch to make sure there are no late surprises Wednesday before celebrating.

MISSOURI’S 2015 RECRUITING CLASS

  • National Rank: 27
  • SEC Rank: 11
  • No. of Commitments: 23
  • Rating: 3 four-star, 19 three-star, 1 two-star

Top incoming offensive players: QB Drew Lock, RB Natereace Strong, RB Chase Abbington
Top incoming defensive players: DE Marcell Frazier, DE Nate Howard, DE Josh Moore
Primary remaining target: DT Terry Beckner Jr.
Best-case scenario: Beckner Jr. signs with Mizzou, the team retains all its other pledges and vaults well inside the Top 25 in the final rankings.

VERBAL COMMITMENTS

  • Drew Lock, QB, Four-star
  • Natereace Strong, RB, Four-star
  • Chase Abbington, RB, Four-star
  • A.J. Harris, OG, Three-star
  • Brandon Martin, WR, Three-star
  • Tyler Howell, OT, Three-star
  • Marquise Doherty, ATH, Three-star
  • Marcell Frazier, DE, Three-star
  • Jonathan Johnson, ATH, Three-star
  • Nate Howard, DT, Three-star
  • Ryan Williams, RB, Three-star
  • Cameron Hilton, S, Three-star
  • Ronnell Perkins, ATH, Three-star
  • Josh Moore, TE, Three-star
  • Emanuel Hall, WR, Three-star
  • Justin Smith, WR, Three-star
  • Richaud Floyd, WR, Three-star
  • Tyrell Jacobs, DT, Three-star
  • T.J. Warren, CB, Three-star
  • Franklin Agbasimere, OLB, Three-star
  • Corey Fatony, P, Two-star

CURRENT CLASS

  • Malik Cuellar, OT, Three-star (early enrollee)
  • Tanner Owen, OT, Three-star (early enrollee)

Editor’s note: Recruiting rankings are based on 247Sports.com‘s industry composite ranking.