Alexander Lee McGough (/məˈɡ/ mə-GOO; born November 19, 1995) is an American professional football wide receiver and quarterback who is currently a free agent. He played college football at FIU,[1] and was selected by Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Birmingham Stallions, and Green Bay Packers.

Alex McGough
refer to caption
McGough in 2017
Personal information
Born: (1995-11-19) November 19, 1995 (age 28)
Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school:Gaither
(Tampa, Florida)
College:FIU (2014–2017)
Position:Wide receiver
Quarterback
NFL draft:2018 / round: 7 / pick: 220
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career USFL statistics as of 2023
Passing attempts:342
Passing completions:219
Completion percentage:64.0
TDINT:23–8
Passing yards:2,565
Passer rating:99.4
Stats at Pro Football Reference

College career

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2014 season

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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

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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

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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

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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]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 3+38 in
(1.91 m)
214 lb
(97 kg)
31+14 in
(0.79 m)
9+18 in
(0.23 m)
4.70 s 1.60 s 2.65 s 4.50 s 7.27 s 32.5 in
(0.83 m)
9 ft 4 in
(2.84 m)
All values from Pro Day[18][19]

Seattle Seahawks (first stint)

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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

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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

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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)

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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]

Birmingham Stallions

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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.[37] He suffered an ankle injury,[38] and was transferred to the inactive roster on April 22, 2022.[39][40] He was moved back to the active roster on May 6.[41] 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.[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

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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] He was released by the Packers with an injury designation on July 19, 2024.[50]

Career statistics

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Legend
USFL MVP
Won the USFL championship
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

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League Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
USFL 2022 BHAM 7 3 39 75 52.0 460 6.1 3 3 67.6 33 135 4.1 3
2023 BHAM 10 9 180 267 67.4 2,105 7.9 20 5 108.3 70 403 5.7 5
USFL Career 17 13 219 342 64.0 2,565 7.5 23 8 99.4 103 534 5.1 8

Postseason

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League Year Team Games Passing Rushing
GP GS Cmp Att Pct Yds Y/A TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
USFL 2022 BHAM 1 0 7 10 70.0 77 7.7 1 1 86.2 4 15 3.7 0
2023 BHAM 2 2 39 56 69.6 553 9.8 8 0 140.8 17 148 8.7 1
USFL Career 3 2 46 66 69.6 630 9.5 9 1 133.2 21 163 7.7 1

Personal life

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McGough's uncle, Kelly Goodburn, was an NFL punter for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Washington Redskins.[1] His younger brother Shane was an offensive lineman for FIU.

References

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  1. ^ a b Villa, Walter (August 7, 2017). "Brothers McGough in the middle of things at FIU". Miami Herald.
  2. ^ Kurtenbach, Dieter (August 30, 2014). "FIU loses to Bethune Cookman – again". Underdog Dynasty.
  3. ^ "FIU Buckles Down and Beats UAB, 34–20". Underdog Dynasty. September 27, 2014.
  4. ^ "Middle Tennessee holds on to beat Florida Int. 42–34". Sports Illustrated. October 17, 2015.
  5. ^ "Florida International beats Old Dominion 41–12". Associated Press. October 24, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "FIU Football 2002–2016". FIUSports.com.
  7. ^ Harper, Brian (November 7, 2015). "FIU gets past Charlotte to keep bowl hopes alive, 48–31". Underdog Dynasty.
  8. ^ Villa, Walter (October 1, 2016). "FIU vs. FAU is a rivalry that does not involve shaking hands". Miami Herald.
  9. ^ Sparks, Bob (October 8, 2016). "FIU picks up second straight win, beats UTEP 35–21". SaintPetersBlog.com.
  10. ^ Kiser, Bill (October 15, 2016). "Alex McGough TD pass to Jonnu Smith with 1:05 left lifts FIU over Charlotte". Miami Herald.
  11. ^ "UCF routs FIU 61–17, spoiling Butch Davis' return". ESPN. Associated Press. August 31, 2017.
  12. ^ Navarro, Manny (September 8, 2017). "How FIU made Birmingham its new home and got Butch Davis his first win". Miami Herald.
  13. ^ Butler, Alex (October 1, 2017). "FIU completes 19-point comeback against Charlotte". Miami Herald.
  14. ^ a b Villa, Walter (December 2, 2017). "In convincing win, FIU football ties, sets school records. This is what's next". Miami Herald.
  15. ^ Pelegrin, Pete (December 13, 2017). "BEST BYE: Alex McGough has quietly played his best football in his final record-breaking season". FIUSports.com.
  16. ^ Cochrane, Karen (December 3, 2017). "FIU to play Temple Owls in Gasparilla Bowl Dec. 21". FIU News.
  17. ^ Goodall, Fred (December 22, 2017). "Nutile leads Temple over FIU 28–3 in Gasparilla Bowl". AP News.
  18. ^ "Seahawks Select Florida International Quarterback Alex McGough No. 220 Overall In 2018 NFL Draft". seahawks.com. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  19. ^ "2018 Draft Scout Alex McGough, Florida International NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  20. ^ Boyle, John (April 28, 2018). "Seahawks Draft Florida International Quarterback Alex McGough In Seventh Round Of 2018 NFL Draft". Seahawks.com.
  21. ^ Matthews, Liz Mathews (April 29, 2018). "Alex McGough is first quarterback drafted by Seahawks since Russell Wilson". Seahawks Wire.
  22. ^ Condotta, Bob (May 15, 2018). "Seahawks sign draft picks Jamarco Jones and Alex McGough". The Seattle Times.
  23. ^ "Seahawks Set 53-Man Roster". Seahawks.com. September 1, 2018.
  24. ^ Boyle, John (September 3, 2018). "Seahawks Sign 10 To Practice Squad". Seahawks.com.
  25. ^ Day, Ryan (January 15, 2019). "Jaguars sign Alex McGough to reserve/future contract". Big Cat Country. Retrieved December 19, 2023.
  26. ^ Oehser, John (August 31, 2019). "Roster reduction: Jaguars move to 53 players". Jaguars.com.
  27. ^ "Texans sign CB Armstrong, TE Paulsen, add 10 players to practice squad". HoustonTexans.com. September 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  28. ^ Williams, Charean (September 10, 2019). "Texans promote Alex McGough, waive Cornell Armstrong". Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports.
  29. ^ Wilson, Aaron (October 16, 2019). "Texans sign Chris Clark, place Seantrel Henderson on reserve list". Houston Chronicle.
  30. ^ "Texans sign 10 players to reserve/future contracts". HoustonTexans.com. January 13, 2020.
  31. ^ Wilson, Aaron (August 31, 2020). "Source: Texans cut third quarterback Alex McGough". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved August 31, 2020.
  32. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (9/14)". HoustonTexans.com. September 14, 2020.
  33. ^ "Houston Texans Transactions (10–12–20)". HoustonTexans.com. October 12, 2020.
  34. ^ Boyle, John (December 9, 2020). "Seahawks Sign Alex McGough To Practice Squad; Rashaad Penny & Quinton Dunbar Return To Practice". Seahawks.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  35. ^ Boyle, John (January 11, 2021). "Seahawks Sign 12 to Reserve/Future Contracts". Seahawks.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  36. ^ Boyle, John (August 23, 2021). "Seahawks Place Two On Injured Reserve, Waive Two To Reduce Roster To 80". Seahawks.com. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  37. ^ Duncan, Jordan (February 23, 2022). "Wednesday Round-Up: Former Seahawks QB Alex McGough Selected In USFL Draft". Seahawks.com. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  38. ^ @USFLStallions (April 20, 2022). "Tuesday Practice Report" (Tweet). Retrieved April 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ @USFLStallions (April 22, 2022). "Transferred to inactive roster" (Tweet). Retrieved April 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ @USFLStallions (April 22, 2022). "Game status report" (Tweet). Retrieved April 23, 2022 – via Twitter.
  41. ^ @USFLStallions (May 6, 2022). "Roster Updates" (Tweet). Retrieved May 6, 2022 – via Twitter.
  42. ^ "Stallions QB J'Mar Smith out for season, Alex McGough takes starting role". FOX Sports. April 20, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  43. ^ "Birmingham Stallions QB Alex McGough named USFL MVP". Fox Sports. June 30, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  44. ^ @USFLStallions (July 18, 2023). "Contract Terminated / Signing with NFL Team" (Tweet). Retrieved July 19, 2023 – via Twitter.
  45. ^ "Packers sign QB Alex McGough, TE Luke Musgrave". packers.com. July 19, 2023. Retrieved July 19, 2023.
  46. ^ "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. August 29, 2023. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  47. ^ "Packers sign 16 players to practice squad". Packers.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  48. ^ "Packers sign 14 free agents". Packers.com. January 22, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  49. ^ Kownack, Bobby (May 3, 2024). "Packers' Alex McGough, former USFL MVP, moving from quarterback to wide receiver". NFL.com. National Football League. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  50. ^ "Packers announce roster moves". Packers.com. July 19, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
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