I have never done this. But I gather that some folks do it.

I know WE will take a hit.

What can those who do it say about chances the kid leaves the team - zero, low, some, high?

I have done it a few times, and have seen others do it a few more times. I’ve never heard of a guy leaving. I don’t know that it can’t happen, of course.

Ive done it 3 times, and yes, the WE takes a hit but I have never had them leave...

I don't think they ever leave. Im fairly sure of that. And i've done it a few times. I've had one senior lose 0 WE. And I redshirted a current junior on one of my teams last season (his original junior season) and he lost 0 WE. Every other player that's a JR or SR that i've tried to redshirt has lost basically all their WE.

class of 21 want to make it smaller redshirted 3 juniors last season

someone told me they would leave school

all three stayed

their WEs are now 7 13 and 10

bad bad bad, low low low

but what the hey

they won play

i'm gonna cut em anyway

i think what most people do... if the player still has room to grow in skills... is put him on the bench but dont play him. and wait to apply the redshirt towards end of season
i think that allows him to gain a few points early that may help offset the WE hit. ive never had any of them leave but its been quite a while since ive done it and not sure if stuff has changed on it