McLaughlin played high school soccer at Heritage Hall, where he was a two-time OklahomaGatorade Player of the Year[1] and led the school to 3 state championships.[2][3]
On April 22, 2021, McLaughlin signed with USL League One side Toronto FC II.[6] He scored two goals on his debut for the club on May 22, 2021, against North Texas SC.[10] On July 18, he scored a hat trick in a 4–2 victory over North Carolina FC, including a bicycle kick on his second goal.[11][12] He finished the season as the team's leading goal scorer with 8 goals[13] and was named Player of the Week twice.[14][15] After the season, he went on trial with Major League Soccer club Real Salt Lake.[16]
McLaughlin joined North Carolina FC on February 11, 2022.[13] On May 30, 2022, McLaughlin was named USL League One Player of the Week for Week 9 of the 2022 season, in recognition of his brace over Richmond Kickers on May 28.[17]
After making ten appearances for North Carolina in their 2024 season, McLaughlin was transferred to Forward Madison on June 25.[18] McLaughlin stated in an interview that his contract with Forward Madison would run through the 2025 season.[19]
^McLaughlin, Garrett; Meerman, Mitchell; Pieters, Grant; Schmidt, Andrew (August 13, 2024). "NDZ Live 060: New Blood with Garrett McLaughlin" (Podcast). New Dogma Zine. Event occurs at 47:33. Retrieved August 26, 2024. You're kinda not saying it, but you're kind of saying it, that you may be here next year as well." "Well yeah, I signed for this year and next year.