Purdue football hires executive from another Big Ten school ahead of the transfer portal

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WEST LAFAYETTE – Purdue football has added to its front office from another Big Ten staff as it prepares for an offseason of transfer portal activity. 

Butler Benton III has been hired as the Boilermakers' executive director of player personnel. He has served as UCLA’s general manager of recruiting and personnel since March 2024. 

Prior to that, the Detroit native spent eight years at Notre Dame, Arkansas, Georgia Southern and Michigan State. His tenure at Arkansas coincided with coach Barry Odom’s stint there as defensive coordinator. 

It is not immediately clear how Benton will fit into Purdue’s front office structure. Brandon Lee heads that department as general manager, assisted by Ethan Baxter. Lee’s brother, Kenny, is director of player development. Odom’s brother, Brad, is director of recruiting. 

Benton served as Notre Dame’s assistant athletic director for player personnel in 2023, managing the recruiting and scouting departments and overseeing roster management. In his two seasons at Arkansas, the Razorbacks signed top-30 classes in the 247 Sports rankings. 

Benton played running back at Cincinnati under Brian Kelly and Mark Dantonio.

Gold & Black first reported the hire.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler Benton III hired by Purdue from UCLA ahead of transfer portal

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