Lones Seiber said goodbye to his dream school Friday and hello to the University of Kentucky on Saturday.

Seiber, an All-State kicker from Central High School, flipped his verbal commitment from Tennessee to Kentucky over the weekend.

"UT’s what I wanted. It was my dream school, but UK’s a better fit for me," Seiber said Monday.

The senior originally committed to Tennessee in mid-November and was one of two kickers committed to the Vols, along with Daniel Lincoln of Ocala, Fla., who committed Nov. 2.

Kentucky placekicker Taylor Begley graduated this season, leaving the Wildcats with an immediate opening. Seiber likely would have redshirted his freshman season at Tennessee, something that tipped the scales in Kentucky’s favor.

"I’ll probably be their guy next year," Seiber said. "Knowing that I would have to redshirt next year (at Tennessee) and with (Lincoln) coming in next year, it just made sense."

Kentucky assistant head coach and special teams coordinator Steve Ortmayer, who also coaches tight ends, spearheaded Kentucky’s recruitment of Seiber.

"At UK, kicking’s a big part of their game," Seiber said. "UT, they don’t have a kicking coach or a special teams coach. It’s hard to see myself getting any better (at Tennessee)."

Steve Caldwell was the Vols’ special teams and defensive ends coach, but will only coach defensive ends this season. Head coach Phillip Fulmer has said all coaches will help out on special teams in 2006.

The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Seiber connected on 10 of 15 field-goal attempts this season with his longest kick 49 yards.

He also averaged 40.8 yards a punt, but he said he expects to be a placekicker at UK.

Seiber, who was also recruited by Tennessee Tech, Virginia and North Carolina, will make his only official visit to Kentucky on Jan. 27 with his father, Lones.

Drew Edwards covers high school sports. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.