UTEP defensive tackle Chris Mineo has signed a contract with the Washington Redskins. Terms were not disclosed. Mineo agreed to the deal after attending Redskins minicamp over the weekend.

The 6-2, 285-pound Odessa native played in 42 games for the Miners, totaling 188 tackles. He had 30.5 tackles for losses and 16.5 sacks.

Mineo ranks second in career sacks and tied for ninth in tackles for losses at UTEP.

He was on his way to a blockbuster senior year in 2005, tallying eight tackles for losses and six sacks in the first four games of the season. However, Mineo suffered a high ankle sprain at Memphis and missed the final seven regular season games. He returned for the GMAC Bowl against Toledo, where he was credited with one tackle and a forced fumble.

Mineo earned first team All-WAC honors in 2004, and was chosen to the All-WAC Freshman Team in 2002. He becomes the third Miner to sign an NFL free agent contract, joining receivers Jayson Boyd (Oakland) and Chris Francies (Green Bay). Linebacker Thomas Howard was chosen by Oakland in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft.