Sometime this season, and perhaps as soon as tomorrow night against the University of Hawai'i, Navy's Ricky Dobbs will power his way into the end zone and tie, then break, the NCAA record for single-season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

But he has much loftier, longer range ambitions than just hitting No. 24 to surpass Tim Tebow.

"I want to be president in 2040," Dobbs said with a focused, straight-ahead look and affirmative nod that brook no incredulity.

"I wouldn't put it past him," said senior guard Osei Asante. "He's a special leader with big aspirations. He works hard and, if he wants it, he can do it."

The current president, Barack Obama, could tell you how much Dobbs is out to make a name for himself. When the Navy football team visited the White House to be honored for its retention of the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, it signed a helmet for the President. Dobbs was front and center. Also on top. And on the sides, back ...

"I signed it five times," Dobbs acknowledged. "So, whatever angle (President Obama) looked at it from he would see No. 4's signature."

Dobbs' mark on Navy has been just as thorough. And not just on the field, where the Midshipmen (8-3), if they win out against UH, Army and in the Texas Bowl, have an opportunity to set a school record for victories in a season. He's also the junior class vice president if not most recognizeable student.

"I don't think there's a person at the academy — from the custodians and cooks to the commandant and superintendent — that doesn't know Ricky," said spokesman Scott Strasemeier. "I've been at the academy for 19 years and have never met anyone like him."

When academy recruiters have a highly coveted prospective athlete they want shown around the campus, Dobbs gets the call for his engaging nature and positive outlook. "He's the kind of leader people rally around," said head coach Kenny Niumatalolo.

Dobbs's birthdate, Jan. 31, 1988, was both a beginning and a life's inspiration. It was the day Doug Williams led Washington to victory in Super Bowl XXII, the first African-American quarterback to do so.

Dobbs says he has taken aim at becoming the second. For a time he also made it his goal to become the first African-American President of the U.S. But, well, he notes, "it would be an honor to be the second, now."

The 6-foot-1, 198-pound Dobbs was recruited by Georgia Tech to be a receiver but came to the academy to lead from under center in the option offense where he averages 23 grueling carries and 80 yards a game.

To put his style in locally-referenced terms, offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper, a former UH quarterback, says Dobbs powerful leg drive reminds him of another for 'Bow, Michael Carter, and his passing, though with a better arm, recalls Garrett Gabriel.

"Ricky is a really unique guy," Niumatalolo said.

That much stands out, even before Dobbs bursts into the record book.