3-star OT Rafiti Ghirmai says relationships, winning are key to recruitment

Among the masses on the Forty Acres over the weekend was Frisco Wakeland product Rafiti Ghirmai — a 6’5, 290-pound offensive tackle prospect.

For both, Ghirmai and the Texas Longhorns, his junior day visit proved positive. The ‘Horns are now among Ghirmai’s top five, and the trek from the Dallas area to Austin was a good time for the fast-rising Texas target.

“Really fun,” Ghirmai told Burnt Orange Nation of his trip to Texas. “Got to see great athletes there and had fun.”

Aside from his short trip down I-35 being fun, Ghirmai was able to spend some additional time with the Longhorns coaching staff, whom he also had nothing but good things to say about.

“I like the new staff,” Ghirmai said. “Coach Warehime has been really nice and fun. Always checking up on me and my family. Also I really like Coach Herman.”

Considering what’s important to the Frisco talent, Ghirmai’s relationships with Warehime, Herman, and the entire staff in general, will be key for Texas’ long-term hopes of landing one of the nation’s most coveted tackle targets.

“Personal relationships and hope to see them win a title,” Ghirmai said of what Texas needs to show him for a commitment. “At least close. I want to go to a school that could win a national championship.”

With Ghirmai’s list of potential suitors, he won’t have much of an issue finding a program that’s used to winning ways. To date, Ghirmai holds 23 offers from programs such as Colorado, Florida, Oklahoma State, UCLA, TCU, Oregon, Ole Miss and Baylor, among others.

So while the Texas staff is well on its way to checking the ‘relationships’ box, does Ghirmai believe they can ultimately get the Longhorns back to national prominence and competing for titles after more than a half-decade of on-field struggles?

“I think so, but only time will tell,” Ghirmai said.

Ghirmai ranks as the nation’s No. 362 player, No. 28 offensive tackle and the No. 46 player in Texas, per 247Sports Composite.