It sounds like you have made up your mind but I wanted to add that using AP’s for requirements was golden for me in college. I didn’t get college credit for any but I got to skip some things, get distributional requirement credit for others, etc.
I also think there’s a big difference between skipping one AP test cause “what’s the point” and using APs as a wow factor. Like a score of 5 on all six of the APs you take - that can look great to a college that is comparing you to a bunch of other smart kids. Just one 5 on one AP? There just isn’t the same impact.
Additionally, it sounds like your kid is a recruited athlete, so yeah, the rules are different for him. He is competing against other athletes more than the general population. As long as his target schools are solid and the coach’s support is solid it sounds like he doesn’t need the AP test.