Alex McGough

On August 30, 2014, McGough made his FIU debut, recording 117 yards and a touchdown against Bethune–Cookman.^[2] On September 27, he threw an 85-yard and a 75-yard touchdown against UAB.^[3] On November 15, he recorded a season-high 231 yards and three touchdowns against Middle Tennessee. He finished his rookie season recording 1,680 yards and 14 touchdowns.^[4]

On October 17, 2015, McGough attempted a career-high 51 passes against Middle Tennessee, second most in school history.^[5] On October 24, McGough recorded a career-best 390 yards (2nd in school history) versus Old Dominion.^[6] He completed 31 of 39 passes, good for 2nd most completions and 4th highest percentage in school history.^[7] On November 7, McGough recorded 284 yards and three touchdowns in a 48–31 blowout against Charlotte.^[8] He finished his second season completing 269 of 420 passes for 2,722 yards and 21 touchdowns, all school records (he broke his record for passing yards in 2017).^[7]

On October 2, 2016, McGough ran for a career-high two touchdowns against Florida Atlantic.^[9] The next week, he threw a season-high 3 touchdowns against UTEP.^[10] On October 15, McGough threw for a season-high 315 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner against Charlotte.^[11] He missed the final three games of the season due to a wrist injury.

On August 31, 2017, McGough threw a 75-yard touchdown pass in the season opener against UCF.^[12] The next week, he threw for a season-high 328 yards and runs in a game-winning touchdown against Alcorn State.^[13] On September 30, McGough led the Panthers to a 19-point comeback win over Charlotte, outscoring the 49ers 16–3 in the second half to a 30–29 win.^[14] On December 2, he threw a season-high three touchdowns and ran for a career-high 108 yards against UMass.^[15] He became the third quarterback in FIU history to run over 100 yards in a game.^[15] He ended his senior season with a completion percentage of 65.3% and a passer rating of 142.8, both school records (previous records were 64% in 2015 by himself & 141.5 rating by Jamie Burke in 2002).^[16]

The Panthers finished with an 8–4 record, qualifying for a bowl game for the first time since 2011.^[17] On December 22, 2017, McGough left in the first quarter of the 2017 Gasparilla Bowl against Temple with a fractured collarbone. The Panthers would go on to lose 28–3.^[18]

McGough was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 220th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft.^[21] He was the first quarterback drafted by the Seahawks since Russell Wilson in 2012.^[22] On May 15, 2018, he signed his rookie contract.^[23] McGough was waived by Seattle on September 1, and was re-signed to the practice squad.^[24][25]

On January 15, 2019, McGough signed a reserve/future contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.^[26] He was waived by Jacksonville on August 31.^[27]

On September 1, 2019, McGough was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad.^[28] He was promoted to the active roster on September 10.^[29] McGough was waived by Houston on October 16, and was re-signed to the team's practice squad.^[30] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 13, 2020.^[31]

McGough was waived on August 31, 2020.^[32] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 14.^[33] McGough was released by the Texans on October 12.^[34]

On December 9, 2020, McGough was signed to the Seattle Seahawks' practice squad.^[35] On January 11, 2021, McGough signed a reserve/futures contract with the Seahawks.^[36] McGough was waived by Seattle on August 23.^[37]

McGough was selected by the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL) with the sixth pick of the first round of the 2022 USFL draft.^[38] He suffered an ankle injury,^[39] and was transferred to the inactive roster on April 22, 2022.^[40][41] He was moved back to the active roster on May 6.^[42] During the 2022 USFL championship game, McGough replaced an injured J'Mar Smith, throwing for seven completions on 10 attempts for 77 yards, and a touchdown, helping the Stallions earn their first USFL championship.

McGough entered the 2023 season as Smith's backup but was thrust back into the starting role when Smith suffered a season-ending injury in the Stallions' first game.^[43] He would go on to earn USFL MVP honors^[44] and lead the Stallions to their second consecutive USFL championship.

McGough was released from his contract with the Stallions on July 18, 2023, to sign with an NFL team.^[45]

On July 19, 2023, McGough signed with the Green Bay Packers.^[46] He was released on August 29.^[47] A day later, McGough was signed to the Packers' practice squad.^[48] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024.^[49] On May 3, it was announced by head coach Matt LaFleur that McGough would transition from quarterback to wide receiver.^[50] He was released by the Packers with an injury designation on July 19.^[51] On November 20, the Packers re-signed McGough to the practice squad.^[52]

On January 23, 2025, McGough re-signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL).^[53] He was placed on injured reserve on April 10,^[54] and again on June 2.^[55]

On January 20, 2026, it was reported that McGough retired from professional football.^[56]