While most football fans only see the excitement on game day, Madison Aponte spends her weeks buried in scouting reports, draft boards, and opponent film. Since 2022, the Penn State alum has served as both a college scouting coordinator and a pro scout for the Kansas City Chiefs, a dual role that splits her year into two demanding but rewarding halves.
“In season, it’s all about the next opponent,” Aponte said. Her weeks revolve around supporting the coaching staff, preparing player personnel reports, and breaking down different signs, signals, and play styles before each game. “We’re always a week ahead, making sure the coaches know exactly what kinds of players they’re going up against.”
Once January starts, Aponte’s work changes dramatically. The college scouting calendar takes priority with Senior Bowl trips, combine prep, draft meetings, and building the roster to shape the future of the franchise.
“We’re figuring out who fits us, who we see developing in our systems,” Aponte said. “Draft weekend is the culmination of months of work. That’s when it all comes together.”
Aponte’s path to the Chiefs wasn’t linear. Like many students with dreams to work in the big league, Aponte started small as a recruiting intern for Penn State Football. In this role, Aponte rotated through various departments, including graphics, operations, and on-campus recruiting, working closely with the current interim head coach of Penn State, Terry Smith. Specifically, the on-campus rotation was the spark that set her on her scouting journey.
“That internship made me so well-rounded,” Aponte said. “Being around the process for years, watching how recruits developed and what coaches prioritized, it helped me figure out what I wanted to pursue, and also what I didn’t.”
Her chance to move to the NFL occurred during the summer before senior year with the Norma Hunt Fellowship, founded by the Chiefs. This summer internship introduced her to the world of pro scouting, and more importantly, the people who work within it. Aponte quickly realized that football, both college and professional, is a remarkably small world.
“Everyone knows everyone,” Aponte laughed. “I kept in touch the entire year after the fellowship. When our college scouts came to Penn State, I’d reconnect with them. I stayed top-of-mind, which I think really helped me when a full-time position opened.”
Transitioning to the league full-time came with its fair share of challenges. However, she never saw them as barriers and encouraged other young women entering the industry to view it the same way.
“Don’t be intimidated if you didn’t play football,” Aponte said. “If you want to learn the game, you can. You can start at the bottom with what you know, as I did, and build from there. Whatever the men are learning, we can too.”
Aponte’s favorite motivation each year is comparing past and current scouting reports she’s written.
“I look back at my early work and think, ‘Why did I write that?” Aponte laughed. “It shows me how much I’ve grown each year, and that’s what motivates me. I want to get better each year so our roster can improve too.”
Relationships and building connections are as crucial as nailing an evaluation. Whether it’s with college coaches, scouts across the league, or executives, Aponte tries to connect in genuine, collaborative ways.
“I keep up with how their teams are doing, send congrats, and talk about players. It keeps the relationship authentic and not transactional,” Aponte said.
Aponte brought that same mindset to her position as the previous speaker outreach chair for the Penn State Sports Business Conference. In that position, Aponte got her first experience networking with high-level sports executives.
“It opened my eyes to the broader business of sports and taught me how valuable making connections really are,” Aponte said.
Aponte has certainly had many accomplishments early in her career, but none bigger than helping to build two Super Bowl-winning rosters in her first two seasons with the Chiefs.
“It was surreal. To see all the hard work pay off at the end of the year, it’s something I’ll always be proud of.”
But amidst the celebrations, Aponte learned a lesson about what truly drives a championship-winning culture. “The night we won the second Super Bowl, Coach Reid and our executive team were already talking about winning the next. That hunger and drive are what make this place so special,” Aponte said.
For students dreaming of working in professional sports, Aponte’s advice is to “start anywhere, whether that’s in D3, college, operations, etc. The most important factor is whatever gets you into a team. NFL teams want people who are hungry and willing to do anything, so start anywhere.”
Specifically for young women who hope to follow their path, Aponte emphasized the importance of finding their voice.
“Your perspective matters. There is so much space for women right now, more than ever, so don’t close yourself off because you’re intimidated. You belong here.”
Melanie is a sophomore from Marietta, Georgia, majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Sports Studies. When she’s not writing for Onward State, she’s either listening to music, dancing, or watching some sort of sports game. You can usually spot her at Irvings or the library, but if not, feel free to contact Melanie on her instagram @melanie.thalhimer or email her at [email protected].