Not sure this is a wise move for AJ. Even if he barely played this year, he'd be getting second team reps in practice, assuming he won the second string job. Assuming Wilson is the number 2 (and why wouldn't he be?) he is going to come into next spring with a leg up. A.J. Long will pretty much be on equal footing with the two class of 2015 freshman. No meaningful reps in over a year, and not a lot of practice reps either.
Even if, come next spring, the coaches decide Wilson isn't the #1 guy, it would be really easy at that point to skip over Long in favor of the kid from out west, or the kid from Alabama.
Plus, for a team, and a coaching staff, that need some wins this season, it is odd they would let Long announce a redshirt so early. It makes me think they may be blowing him off because he doesn't fit into their plans ... sure go ahead and redshirt if you want, we don't really care, type thing.
If winning is the be all end all (which it is) you want the best available options on your depth chart, ready, willing and able to go every week. Not announcing they have no intentions of playing in the upcoming season.
