1. I like balanced classes, both overall and within each position. If I plan to stay at the school a while, I use redshirts to even out the classes whenever possible, even if it means redshirting Sophs on a limited basis.
2. Redshirt all QBs if possible.
3. Never redshirt TE, K, or P
4. I always have 3 Redshirt players assuming my roster is set up properly. Other than QB, I never pre-plan what position I will redshirt; I simply recruit 3 extra guys regardless of position (other than TE, K. or P).
5. For each position that has an extra guy, I usually redshirt the guy with the best potential & WE factored in together. But the potential is more important.
6. In D-IA, I prefer to avoid redshirting guys with core numbers close to 90 since they top out there for the most part.
7. I tend to redshirt the worst of my players instead of the best, especially at DI-A. Not on purpose necessarily, it just sort of happens that way.
8. I never look at next year's recruits to decide who I'm going to sign next year because it's impossible to predict.
9. Occasionally, I sign mediocre players with high WE/Potential knowing I will redshirt them, but it's rare.
10. I am just as likely to redshirt offense as defense. I have also ended up redshirting 2 guys at the same position and just not recruiting it at all the next year, although that's very rare.