Once Tennessee teed it up, Daniel Lincoln sailed it through the uprights.

"I’ve made up my mind," the kicker from Ocala, Fla., said Wednesday night. "I’m ready to go ahead and win games as a Volunteer. I can’t think of a better place to be."

Lincoln is the Vols’ eighth commitment of the 2006 class.

"Tennessee is a great place to be," he said. "I don’t think I can go wrong there."

The 6-foot, 196-pound Lincoln isn’t exactly a Vol by birth. He grew up 35 miles from Gainesville, home to UT’s archrival, the Florida Gators.

Lincoln said he kicked a 63-yard field goal this summer in front of Urban Meyer at a football camp. Lincoln said Meyer just walked away. Florida’s lack of interest made Lincoln’s decision easy.

"I haven’t really gotten any attention from Florida," Lincoln said. "I’m all about business and Tennessee is all about business. So, it’s a great match.

And it has given Lincoln some motivation.

"Hopefully," he said, "I‘ll get a chance to beat the Gators in The Swamp. That would be great."

Lincoln said he grew up cheering for the SEC more than any particular school, including Florida. The Forest High School star said he was offered a scholarship by Tennessee, Rice and Memphis.

Lincoln said Stanford and LSU have also been hot on his trail and are each expected to offer a scholarship.

Lincoln said he runs a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash, bench presses 320 pounds, and squats 460 pounds.

As for kicking, Lincoln said he is 5-of-6 in field goal attempts this season. He said his longest field goal this year is 49 yards and he can routinely kick field goals from 65-plus yards.

Lincoln said he will visit UT on Nov. 11 and also plans to visit LSU and Stanford.

"But I’ve made my decision," Lincoln said. "I’ve already caught a load of crap from all my friends (for committing to UT)."

Lincoln was primarily recruited by UT offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens.