MIAMI Fl. - Pat White wanted to play quarterback in the National Football League, despite the fact that many felt his best place was as a reciever or running back.

. The Miami Dolphins run the “Wildcat”, an offense that calls for a non-traditional quarterback who is as much reciever and running back as he is quarterback. Sounds like a match made in heaven. And Pat White knows it.

"I guess I fit fairly well in the Wildcat," White said. "Hopefully that will be my quickest way on the field. I'm excited and happy to be a part of it."

"I definitely still have confidence in myself," he said. "I'm looking for the opportunity. I got a great opportunity down in Miami. I never doubt myself. I know that I've got to keep working and try to get better. That I'm willing to do."

The Dolphins offer White additional liberties beyond the Wildcat. Skeptics questioned White's ability to play quarterback in the NFL, learn to play receiver and contribute as a punt and kick returner.

Well, the Dolphins have Pennington and plan to start Chad Henne by 2010. They invested a second-round pick in backup John Beck in 2007 but released him Monday after securig White in the draft.

Miami also selected two receivers in the draft and have receivers Ted Ginn and Davone Bess in the return game.

White will have to produce, but the immediate demands are reduced in Miami, though White's desire remains high. He refuses to give up on playing quarterback.

White’s draft profile soared as the draft approached. He met and visited the Minnesota Vikings Wednesday. The Dolphins, though, remained intrigued after watching White at the Senior Bowl, where he was MVP, and at the draft combine.

"I got to see him throw the ball a lot more than I had seen in the past," General Manager Jeff Ireland said. "Obviously, you knew his ability as a runner but that was primarily why I was going to see him was to see him throw. I know quite a few of the coaches there and our scouts obviously know a lot about him. Our coaches have a great vision for the player. Obviously the Senior Bowl and the Combine and the practices and the scouts reports helped and I felt really good about him."

Ireland wasn't alone. Former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski said White had "as good of mechanics as any quarterback" he evaluated in the pre-draft process.

"What I saw was a quarterback," Jaworski said. "Everyone talks about (White as a) wide receiver or a Wildcat quarterback. What I saw was a quarterback with outstanding fundamentals who threw the ball very well.

"Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said White likely will anchor the Wildcat and eventually could compete for the starting quarterback job. That means he'll challenge Chad Henne for the role of heir apparent to Chad Pennington.

"I don't think you can have too many good players at that position," Ireland said."Pat White has an unusual set of skills that can help us. He enhances our offense, and how we'll use out offense," General Manager Jeff Ireland said. "I think we're creative enough as a coaching staff where he'll be able to enhance our offense in a number of ways."

White closed his college career as the NCAA's all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback (4,480).

"I just want to be on the field playing and helping the team win. Every position is going to take some work," said White, who won the MVP of both the Fiesta and Gator bowls in his time as a Mountaineer. "I've just got to put in the time, take the coaching, and hopefully everything will pan out."

One thing is for certain. With former Marshall star Chad Pennington and now, WVU’s White on the team, the eyes of West Virginia’s football fans will definetly be on the Miami Dolphins this season.