4-star OT Rafiti Ghirmai commits to Texas over UCLA

Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns scored a huge victory on the recruiting trail on Monday when four-star offensive lineman Rafiti Ghirmai announced that he will don burnt orange.

Ghirmai's commitment is especially sweet for Texas, not just because he fills a key position of need, but also because he was far from a lock for the 'Horns.

UCLA had been pegged as the favorite for Ghirmai since the beginning of August, when the Bruins took the lead in 247's Crystal Ball predictions. In fact, the 6'4, 290-pounder was still projected to go to UCLA until Saturday when industry experts began to flip their predictions in favor of Texas.

Aside from Texas and UCLA, Ghirmai was also considering LSU, Alabama, Michigan, and Florida, although this was largely a two-horse race down the stretch.

The Wakeland rising senior is only the second offensive lineman pledge for Texas in 2018. Texas' other offensive line pledge, three-star Reese Moore, is not as likely to make an immediate impact compared to Ghirmai.

Ghirmai is now commit No. 18 in Tom Herman’s 2018 Texas class and the fourth to side with the ‘Horns in August. Texas’ recruiting haul still headlines the Big 12 and is No. 2 in the nation behind just Ohio State, according to the 247Sports Composite team rankings.

The 6’4, 290-pound Ghirmai is ranked as the nation’s No. 282 player, the No. 21 offensive tackle and the No. 3 offensive tackle in Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite.