Interview: 2018 Texas OT Rafiti Ghirmai Rising to Occasion under High Expectations

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

High praise can be a motivational tool for a player before stepping out onto the field, but all of the pat on the butts and big talk is nothing without follow through from said player. Before Rafiti Ghirmai even stepped foot on the field for Wakeland High School’s varsity squad there were big expectations for what the offensive lineman could mean for the success of the team. The good news is, Ghirmai did not disappoint and has risen above the highest of expectations.

The Wolverines went 8-5 in 2016 making a three-game run into the Texas 5A Playoffs before falling to Mansfield Legacy. The offense mixed in the pass and the run challenging the Wolverines offensive linemen to steamroll in the run game and set up a tight pocket in the passing attack. Ghirmai succeeded across the board during his first season as a starter for Wakeland attracting the admiration of college coaches throughout the region. To date 17 colleges have extended an offer to the 6-5, 290 pound, rising star with the list including Missouri, Houston, Iowa State, Colorado, Baylor, Bowling Green, Central Florida, Kansas, North Texas, SMU, UTSA, UCF, Tulsa, Utah, TCU, and Oklahoma State.

Ghirmai is that rare mix of speed, power, and want-to. The Wolverines’ right tackle, could stay at that position at the next level or move down to either guard spot with the quickness to pull and trap capable of getting to the next level to take on linebackers. Beyond all the physical abilities, the Class of 2018 talent has that relentless nasty streak that offensive line coaches love and opposing defenders hate. For a defensive lineman or linebacker mixing it up with Ghirmai during a game, it is guaranteed to be a long day.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Ghirmai going over his 2016 season, off-season workouts, and recruitment.

Interview

Rafiti, was 2016 your first season at the varsity level?

“Yes, sir.”

What level did you play during the 2015 season?

“Junior varsity.”

What was the step up in competition like for you?

“My coach is great. He came to my house, talked to my mom and me. He told my mom ‘we expect a lot out of him.’ Last year, the guy who was starting ahead of me, Jacob Todora, is now at SMU. He was one of the best to go through Wakeland. I asked my brother (academic senior at Oklahoma) on blocking tips, I went to a bunch of camps, and I got my body right before the season began.”

What was the adjustment to the game like for you on the field?

“On the field, the speed of the game is quicker than JV. JV squads are the backups on varsity. Everyone was a lot stronger too.”

How did your game get better as the season went along?

“Our O-line coach has us doing drills all the time. I did the extra work in the weight room. At the beginning of the season I had trouble combing all the moves. One play I would move my legs but not my hands and hips. We use this rubber band in practice around our feet and punch the dummy while moving at the same time. We did this every day in practice to help improve our blocking. I have developed and I have gotten a lot better.”

What are you working on this off-season to improve upon before your senior year?

“My feet. For O-lineman, that is the No. 1 priority. I have good hands. If I have good feet the defender is not going anywhere. All the great linemen that have played the game, they have the best feet.”

What are your maxes in the weight room?

“We just had a power lifting meet Thursday night. My bench is 300, squat 460, and my deadlift is 500.”

How many offers do you have right now?

“I have 17 offers.”

Which schools are in regular contact with you?

“Texas and TCU. Texas will text me every day. TCU does the same thing. Texas talks to me the most. They talk to my mom and my brother. They have formed a relationship with my family.”

Which schools are showing interest but have not offered?

“LSU. Coach (Jeff) Grimes (offensive line coach), he calls about once a week. We talk about how the week went. Coach Grimes talks about the LSU football team too. Oklahoma is another school. Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh (offensive line coach) direct messages me on Twitter. He asks about my GPA and things like that. I’m attending their Junior Day next week. I hope they offer. My brother, he goes to school there, he wants to go to that Junior Day with me.”

Did you take any visits during the 2016 season?

“Yes, sir. I went to two Texas A&M games, one to Oklahoma State, one to Oklahoma, one to Kansas State, one to Texas-San Antonio.”

Wow. You were busy throughout the season.

(Laughs) “I was busy throughout the season.”

From all of your visits, what have you learned about the college game?

“The intensity is much greater. I was expecting something different. They beat each other up. They want to kill you on the field. That gets my mind right now before I head off to college.”

You mentioned the Oklahoma visit, do you have any other visits planned?

“I’m going to LSU coming up in March. Missouri invited me for a visit and I just went to Houston. I will be visiting SMU soon too. I am going to Texas on Feb. 25.”

Are you going to any camps this spring or summer?

“I’m going an Under Armour camp, the Nike Opening Regional, and I have been invited to a Rivals camp.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“I have a 3.29. Education is always on mind. You can’t play football forever.”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I have taken the SAT but I have not received my score yet. I am taking the ACT coming up in April. My plan is to take both tests twice.”

Do you play any other sports for Wakeland?

“Powerlifting and track. I throw the shot and discus.”

What are your personal best in each event?

“In the shot, the furthest I have thrown it 48-feet. The discus is somewhere between 140 to 150. I don’t remember. Discus is not my strong suit. With power lifting, I am on varsity in the super heavy weights division.”

What do you love most about football?

“I’d say the hitting. If someone is talking trash, I like putting them on their back. I like making friends and relationships through football. I’d say about 92 percent of my friends are from football.”

What is your motivation on the field?

“My family. My parents are from East Africa, a small country on the border of the Red Sea. They flew to America for academics. I have two siblings, a sister at Texas Tech and a brother who is a senior at Oklahoma.”

Rafiti, thanks for your time today and good luck with all of your upcoming visits.

“Thank you.”

Click the link to see Rafiti Ghirmai’s 2016 season highlights.

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Photo credit: Ghirmai family; Rafiti Ghirmai at Houston (2017).

Photo credit: NCSA; Rafiti Ghirmai at a Nike camp.

Photo credit: Ghirmai family; Rafiti Ghirmai at Oklahoma (2016).