I think that most of us aren't so much as upset that a redshirt was burned, but that our players are not developed and coached into better football players. For the last 6 years, a kid who arrives on the team is essentially the same player 3-4 years later when he leaves. Generalizing of course. I am more frustrated that we burned Shane's, Dymonte's, etc and they seem no better a football player than their first year. Isn't that really the issue at hand? My $.02

It is easy to sit back and judge who should and shouldn't have taken a redshirt, and I would go so far as to say it is fun to judge wether it was smart or not smart.

That being said, I know Hoke had discussions with freshman often: Are you planning on graduating in four years?  Because for some players that were pretty serious about their academics, if they are going to be done with school in four years you might as well let them see the field in year one.

Just my take, and I see the pros and cons of it, I can certainly see why a little more micromanagement there might make sense, but I believe Hoke gives everyone the option up front.  Part of the whole "I'm here for you, not for me" mentality.

But even hindsight can be wrong. Wilson was a no-brainer to play as a freshman. We were so thin at safety that he was needed in the rotation. Additionally that experience was helpful for when he stepped in to start as a sophomore.

Thomas was expected to play a lot as a freshman. He started the season in the rotation, but fell out because he struggled. He was still a valuable player on special teams. There's not a lot of time to make that decision, just a few weeks of fall camp. His physical tools were obvious. It was reasonable to think he might develop a lot during the season, also to believe he was promised he wouldn't redshirt.

Basically, you can't have your cake and eat it too. Playing true freshmen can fill holes, help them develop faster and improve special teams. Keeping them for a fifth year gives them more time to develop. It also uses up a scholarship for an extra year or costs them if they have to later take a medical RS. It costs you if they leave early for the NFL or a grad year transfer. These decisions have to be made quickly for the most part, based on potential to help the team. There's no possible way to get every decision right. Some of the decisions to redshirt can be questioned as well. It seems that we never talk about them. 

I have yet to see a learned discussion of the contributions of any of these guys on special teams and whether the alternative was worse, etc.  In judging some of those decisions, that has to be a consideration (Thomas, Geddeon, ...)  Also, what is the benefit from the experience of being on special teams; how important is it?  Sure, it won't tell you how to read a belly fake and haul out to the flat, but is it zero?  I'm not saying these considerations absolve all of Hoke's shirt-burning decisions, but they are relevant.

I think you're oversimplifying the "is who he is" argument. Almost everyone can benefit from being held back a year. And there's a big difference between a true junior who doesn't look like he's going to ever figure it out and a redshirt sophomore who looks the exact same. And for the "they are who they are" crowd of backups and role players having that extra year of experience is hugely important.

performed poorly in the redshirt aspect 

Who was the last Michigan player that graduated, AND BASED ON THEIR ACTUAL PRODUCTION, you mourned them not having another year of eligibility due to their redshirt being burned prematurely? Again, this seems to be player developement issues. We are looking at players and "thinking what they potentially could / would have been" had their redshirt not been burned. Almost always,by the time you are a junior you are what you are, or your coaches have failed you miserably. Generalizing of course. I compare it to what my 14 year old son experiences with sports. So many kids "reclassify" (intentionally hold themselves back a grade for athletic reasons). I tell him for 99% of kids it is a waste. By the time your a junior / senior either you are good enough or not. An extra year isn't going to make you into an elite prospect. Their are always outliers, but that will be the case for 99%.

I don't have too strong of an opinioin either way regarding redshirts and when they should be used. I have zero issues with someone playing as a true freshman if they able to contribute. However, I don't really care to see a redshirt burned just so a guy can run down the field on special teams a few times a game. I feel like there have been multiple guys in the past two seasons who fall into that category.

Should I redshirt this freshman?

I appreciate the post. This is the kind of speculation that MGoBlog does such a great job of fostering. Just a few observations.

1. When you look back in hindsight, you ALWAYS see things that could have been done differently. Should the Seahawks have passed on 2nd down at the 1 yard line in the Superbowl? Obviously not. Worst. Decision. Ever. And yet. That doesn't make Carroll a bad football coach (as much as I dislike him.) I actually think picking on an undrafted rookie CB was a reasonable call. I digress. Obviously, looking back, people can question why Canteen was played. Or Ojemudia. Or Thomas. The reality is that there are even people still on this board who were champing at the bit to see those guys hit the field. It didn't work out. C'est la vie.
2. It's all about the need, 'bout the need, not potential. It's all about the need, 'bout the need, not potential.It's all about the need, 'bout the need, not potential. All about the need, 'bout the need, 'bout the need.
3. I can agree that Hoke didn't work out, and needed to go. That's the way the cookie crumbles.  But I get pretty tired of the bloggers looking to blame him for all of Michigan's problems, including RS decisions. As others have said, you have to take into consideration what the athlete himself wants to do, and we don't know that inside discussion. Imhe, Hoke was forced into some decisions becuase of the roster depth and balance. Regardless, the magical gold-pooping Hoke is gone, the new Sheriff's in town, and we're moving forward. 

Why does the Norfleet one bother people so much? He was a signing day pick-up with zero expectations. We'll get 4 years of production at KR from him (he's the record holder for total return yards, BTW), which exceeds what you expect out of a recruit of his level. I know everyone sees him juking guys in tight spaces and thinks he could have been more, but he really didn't get much out of his offensive snaps despite having a shot under two different offensive schemes. Not sure how a RS would really help there. I dunno, if Harbaugh somehow turns him into an unstoppable offensive weapon this year, I guess I'll retract my statement, but I don't see that happening.