I just signed a big freshman class, and I'm hoping to redshirt a player. When I redshirted the guy I would most like to, his WE dropped to 55 and he said he was a "little upset". I didn't inform him during recruiting, and I didn't offer him any promises either. 

My question: Is it a risk to redshirt him anyway? His WE dropped between 15-20 points, so it's not that bad. But I don't want to risk losing him either. 

Thoughts?

thats a rather mild hit - if he is the one you prefer to RS, then I'd tend to just let it be - wont have that big an effect on his career

he won't leave. that WE hit is moderate is all so I echo metsmax - if he is your preferred RS option, starting life at a 55 WE is not so bad. Still should max out depending on how many HH categories he's got. So, short answer, leave the RS on. *IF you remove it and try to reapply, he might say yes, but he might also get even more ****** and have WE drop more.**