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.
2015 season
On October 17, 2015, McGough attempted a career-high 51 passes against Middle Tennessee, second most in school history.[4] On October 24, McGough recorded a career-best 390 yards (2nd in school history) versus Old Dominion.[5] He completed 31 of 39 passes, good for 2nd most completions and 4th highest percentage in school history.[6] On November 7, McGough recorded 284 yards and three touchdowns in a 48–31 blowout against Charlotte.[7] 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).[6]
2016 season
On October 2, 2016, McGough ran for a career-high two touchdowns against Florida Atlantic.[8] The next week, he threw a season-high 3 touchdowns against UTEP.[9] On October 15, McGough threw for a season-high 315 yards and scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner against Charlotte.[10] He missed the final three games of the season due to a wrist injury.
2017 season
On August 31, 2017, McGough threw a 75-yard touchdown pass in the season opener against UCF.[11] The next week, he threw for a season-high 328 yards and runs in a game-winning touchdown against Alcorn State.[12] 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.[13] On December 2, he threw a season-high three touchdowns and ran for a career-high 108 yards against UMass.[14] He became the third quarterback in FIU history to run over 100 yards in a game.[14] 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).[15]
The Panthers finished with an 8–4 record, qualifying for a bowl game for the first time since 2011.[16] 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.[17]
McGough was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round, 220th overall, of the 2018 NFL Draft.[20] He was the first quarterback drafted by the Seahawks since Russell Wilson in 2012.[21] On May 15, 2018, he signed his rookie contract.[22] He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was re-signed to the practice squad.[23][24]
Jacksonville Jaguars
On January 15, 2019, McGough signed a reserve/future contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.[25] He was waived on August 31, 2019.[26]
Houston Texans
On September 1, 2019, McGough was signed to the Houston Texans practice squad.[27] He was promoted to the active roster on September 10, 2019.[28] He was waived on October 16, 2019, and re-signed to the practice squad.[29] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 13, 2020.[30]
McGough was waived on August 31, 2020.[31] He was re-signed to the practice squad on September 14, 2020.[32] He was released on October 12.[33]
Seattle Seahawks (second stint)
On December 9, 2020, McGough was signed to the Seahawks' practice squad.[34] On January 11, 2021, McGough signed a reserve/futures contract with the Seahawks.[35] McGough was waived on August 23, 2021.[36]
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.[42] He would go on to earn USFL MVP honors[43] 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.[44]
Green Bay Packers
On July 19, 2023, McGough signed with the Green Bay Packers.[45] He was released on August 29, 2023.[46] A day later, he was signed to the Packers' practice squad.[47] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 22, 2024.[48] On May 3, 2024, it was announced by head coach Matt LaFleur that McGough would transition from quarterback to wide receiver.[49]