I know this has been discussed before on here but just wanted to ask some quick specific questions..

-If my senior is already essentially maxed attribute wise, does he still gain IQ if I don't redshirt until the end of the season?
-If I were to redshirt my senior early in the season, do I lose recruiting budget and AP's for recruiting?

Mainly trying to determine if there is some benefit to waiting vs. the small risk he gets into a game and I can't redshirt (he's currently off the depth chart and set to mop up).

Yes, his IQ will “grow”, as his WE declines gradually throughout the season, instead of falling off a cliff right away. It’s hard to notice for most seniors in that position, because they’re usually already up in the A to A- range, so its not a big difference at all. But there is some benefit there.

I think you keep the recruiting budget (at least the scouting budget) regardless of when you redshirt him, though if you do it before scouting starts, maybe not. Someone might correct me, though. Not 100% sure. For me personally, the senior redshirt is more about the class - either I’m hedging against an EE or lost recruiting battles, or I’m trying to get the class under him to a certain size - so I honestly don’t really pay attention to whether the resources change when the redshirt is put on early. For a lot of those guys, they are going to be the 10th-12th guy on the roster anyway, and I’m as likely to just let them walk if I don’t lose an EE and get my recruiting targets, which is the big reason I don’t redshirt seniors early.

If you redshirt at the end of the season, yes he will gain IQ for THAT season. But keep in mind (I've been irritated by this) the NEXT season, while he is playing and has his 1 WE, he will technically be "working on" IQ. But it usually never makes that tick up to A+ if he comes in at an A. Because WE is a factor in building IQ and at that point, he only has a 1 WE

9 times out of 10 when I've Sr redshirted, the minute I hit that redshirt button, is the last growth I see of his IQ grade for the rest of his career. I've maybe had one player uptick from A to A+ in that Sr year he's playing with 1 WE.