UCLA redshirt sophomore quarterback Pierce Clarkson has been suspended following his arrest on at least one unspecified felony charge, the university confirmed Sunday.
Clarkson, 21, was arrested at noon Friday by officers from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division and booked about three hours later at the LAPD’s 77th Street Community Police Station, according to sheriff’s inmate records.
Bail was set at $30,000, and he was released after posting bond at 7:30 that night, records show. Clarkson is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 3, according to Fox11, which was first to report the story.
Police did not disclose the nature of the crime or crimes that Clarkson is alleged to have committed. Fox 11 reported Clarkson may have been arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, a felony, and that the incident may have been possible domestic violence, according to a source it did not name.
UCLA Athletics released a statement Sunday stating: “We are aware of the charges against Pierce Clarkson,” adding, “He has been indefinitely suspended from all team activity pending the outcome of the legal process. This situation will be evaluated by the UCLA Office of Student Conduct and any further action taken will be in accordance with that evaluation and university policy.”
Clarkson led St. John Bosco High School to the 2022 Southern Section Division 1 championship, throwing 26 touchdown passes and running for five scores, according to the high school sports website MaxPreps.
Clarkson began his college career at Louisville in 2023 completing 4-of-6 passes for 18 yards and running for nine yards on five carries in three games over two seasons.
Clarkson spent spring 2025 at Mississippi before transferring to UCLA. He did not play in either of UCLA’s two games this season.
These are hood people, don’t expect civility. Sports are not important enough to expose hard working students who studied hard to get into UCLA, trying to get a degree and better their lives to people like this who barely go to class.