ASHBURN, Va. -- Sammis Reyes will make the Washington Football Team's 53-man roster, a source said, making him the first Chilean born player to play in the NFL.

Washington signed Reyes in April after he participated in Florida's pro day. By signing, Reyes was removed from the International Pathway Program. Washington gave him a three-year deal with a $392,600 signing bonus.

Washington has Logan Thomas and rookie John Bates also at tight end. But the coaches consider Reyes arguably their best blocker. He's still raw in the passing game, but they did not want to risk losing him. Washington always viewed him as having long-term potential.

Reyes' path was made tough, too, by the fact he had played organized football for only one week before joining Washington. As a high school junior in Florida, he practiced with the team for a week before deciding to stick with just basketball.

He came to the United States at 14 years old, without his parents, to play high school basketball in Florida. After changing schools twice, he said he received offers from 25 Division I schools for basketball. Reyes has said often that his ultimate dream was to play in the NBA. He played collegiately at Tulane for two years and Loyola of New Orleans for one.

In January of 2020, Reyes decided he wanted to try football and began working out with trainers in northern Virginia.

Washington also is expected to keep undrafted free agent running back Jaret Patterson, who tied an NCAA record at the University of Buffalo by rushing for eight touchdowns in a game. Washington already has released two of its five backs - veteran Peyton Barber and Jonathan Williams. It has Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic to pair with Patterson.