[3] McDermott attended the Ensworth School where he played tight end, offensive and defensive tackle positions during the course of his four years with the Tigers football team.

By the end of his high school career, McDermott helped his team compile a 39-8 win-loss record.

[3] McDermott joined the Bruins football team playing for the University of California, Los Angeles in 2012, the same year in which his brother played his last season for the team as a long snapper.

During his freshman year, McDermott earned a place on the UCLA Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll.

McDermott did not play until the 2014 season after previously being held on reserve as an offensive tackle.

During his final season in 2016, McDermott started in 12 games as a left tackle.

[3] The New England Patriots selected McDermott in the sixth round (211th overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.

[25] His older brother, Kevin McDermott, also played college football at UCLA and is the former starting long snapper for the Minnesota Vikings.

During his senior season in 2016, McDermott pranked his UCLA teammate Eddie Vanderdoes by signing the back of his jersey during a fan appreciation event.