@jadaley07 I've copied my comment from a previous "redshirting" post:
I'm speaking as a person who missed the age cutoff by 12 hours (Meaning I was a full year older than some of my classmates). My parents could have gotten an exception but chose not to.
In early elementary I was academically ahead. I was always one of the best readers. I knew how to count and add and subtract before kindergarten. I remember thinking it was AWESOME to help the other kids 'like a big kid'.
By middle school it started to suck. The academics had leveled out and I was old enough to get my learners permit, but my school didn't have driver's Ed or allow student parking. I started puberty and got my period months ahead of any of the other girls, that was miserable. (Truly, these are some of my worst memories)
By high school it really sucked. I was 18 my entire senior year. I couldn't get an adult job, I couldn't move out, I couldn't start college, I couldn't do any 18 year old things. I had people telling me what I couldn't and couldn't read in English class and writing me up for being 3 seconds late to class while I was old enough to vote or die for my country. It really felt like I was stunted my entire first year of adulthood.
Basically by the time I was an adult, it left me feeling a year behind and very frustrated. I personally saw no academic advantage in the long run. And now I worry about my son who is also very close to the cutoff (but not close enough for an exception.)