He was drafted by the New York Jets  in the seventh round of the 2011 National Football League draft.   after playing college ball at Alabama. He was the starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide. As a junior, he led the Crimson Tide to an undefeated 14–0 season, which included the 2009 SEC Championship and BCS Championship. After retiring from the NFL, McElroy became an analyst for the ESPN”s SEC Network.