The Denver Broncos announced Sunday that the team and former CSU defensive end Lanston Tanyi have come to terms with a free-agent contract.

Tanyi recorded 77 tackles for the Rams in the 2012 season, second-most among MW defensive linemen and second-most by a CSU lineman since 1988.

He drew the attention of the National Football League after participating in the Washington Redskins’ rookie minicamp last weekend.

“I do believe it helped in terms of not being as nervous and knowing what to expect,” Tanyi said in a statement issued by the CSU Department of Athletics. “They liked me, but when I came (to the Broncos’ camp) I’m a 4-3 defensive end. Either one of those are positions that are more natural for me than the 3-4 defensive end that I was. Going back to my natural position I was able to just show that it was more natural for me.”

Denver Broncos Executive Director of Media Relations Patrick Smyth confirmed that the organization signed the former Ram.

“We can confirm we have agreed to terms with Lanston Tanyi. He is eligible to participate in all team activities going forward,” Smyth wrote in an email.

Tanyi believes that this step is merely the first of his professional career.

“That’s the biggest thing, to get that out of the way,” Tanyi said about signing his contract. “Phase one is complete. Now, the next step is to try to make the active roster. To actually get this stress out of me and be able to focus now with tunnel vision on what I need to do to get to that next phase is a great feeling.”

Three of Tanyi’s former teammates are still in the free-agency hunt. Momo Thomas with the Atlanta Falcons, Pete Kontodiakos with the Carolina Panthers and Joe Caprioglio with the Arizona Cardinals remain hopeful.

Tanyi could not be reached for further comment at time of print.

Sports Editor Quentin Sickafoose can be reached at sports@collegian.com and on Twitter @QSickafoose.

Tweets about Tanyi’s signing:

The Broncos have agreed to terms with two players who tried out at this weekend’s rookie minicamp: LB Damien Holmes & DE Lanston Tanyi.

— Denver Broncos (@DenverBroncos) May 12, 2013

So undrafted rookies Gary Mason, Doug Rippy are out; CSU’s Lanston Tanyi-UCLA’s Damien Holmes will be in.

— Mike Klis (@MikeKlis) May 12, 2013

Another Former @csufootball player gets invited to a NFL rookie mini camp, congrats to Lanston Tanyi! col.st/ZN8MDJ #CSURams

— CSU Rams (@CSUAthletics) April 30, 2013