During recruiting... if I tell a recruit that I want to redshirt him, and he tells me "You Crazy", but he still is considering me, and then still signs with me, but never accepted the redshirt at any point... can I actually redshirt him without penalty (since he did sign with me knowing my intentions), or will he still be mad and drop Work Ethic?

Yes. almost all recruits will not accept it during recruiting but if he is still considering you and ultimately signs and you never take off the redshirt, he will accept it gladly once you apply it during the season.

FWIW, the only place I recall seeing recruits accept it is at D1 for higher prestige schools.

I have had the same thing happen, the recruit gladly took the redshirt, This was at DII I believe when I did that. Have not tried it at DI because I generally have had recruits that did not need a redshirt.

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help.