UCLA Backup Quarterback Pierce Clarkson Arrested on Suspicion of Assault With Deadly Weapon; Suspended
Redshirt sophomore arrested by LAPD; UCLA has indefinitely suspended him pending legal and student-conduct proceedings as Bruins cope with 0-2 start
UCLA backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson was arrested last Friday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and has been indefinitely suspended from all team activities, the university said.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s southwest division arrested the 21-year-old, who was booked and released the same evening after bail was set at $30,000, according to NBC Los Angeles. Clarkson has a court date set for Oct. 3. UCLA said the matter will be evaluated by the UCLA Office of Student Conduct and that any further action will follow university policy.
Clarkson, a redshirt sophomore from Bellflower, California, transferred to UCLA for the 2025-26 season after two years at Louisville and a spring session at Ole Miss. He has not appeared in a game for the Bruins this season and is listed behind starter Nico Iamaleava on the depth chart. Clarkson is the son of quarterback coach Steve Clarkson.
UCLA’s statement announcing the suspension did not provide details of the alleged incident. The university’s comment, released through media outlets, said the suspension will remain in place pending the outcome of the legal process and the student-conduct evaluation.
The arrest adds an off-field complication as the Bruins have struggled through an 0-2 start. UCLA has been outscored 73-33, losing 43-10 to Utah and 30-23 at UNLV. Coach DeShaun Foster said after the UNLV loss that he was frustrated because the team had the ability to execute better and put together complete halves, comments reported by ESPN.
Iamaleava, the transfer who arrived amid a high-profile name, image and likeness dispute at Tennessee, has thrown for 391 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions through two games. Clarkson, a four-star prospect according to his UCLA biography, threw for 1,903 yards and 26 touchdowns during his senior year at St. John Bosco while helping the program reach a No. 1 national ranking.
UCLA returns to action Friday at home against New Mexico, a 1-1 team. The program did not immediately say whether Clarkson will be available for any team-related activities before the legal and student-conduct processes conclude.
The Los Angeles Police Department and the university did not release additional details about the alleged assault. Court records and additional statements from law enforcement or the university could provide further information as the case proceeds to the scheduled October hearing.