UCLA has indefinitely suspended backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson following his arrest on unspecified felony charges, which occurred last Friday. The university is awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings before making any further decisions regarding his status with the team.
Pierce Clarkson was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division at approximately 12 p.m. on September 5. Bail was set at $30,000, which Clarkson posted later that day, leading to his release. His first court hearing is scheduled for October 3 in Los Angeles Municipal Court, though the specific details of the felony charges remain undisclosed by authorities.
In response to the arrest, UCLA Athletics released a statement on September 7, confirming their awareness of the situation and announcing Clarkson’s indefinite suspension from all team activities. The statement emphasized that any additional actions would follow an evaluation by the UCLA Office of Student Conduct and adhere strictly to university policies and procedures.
Clarkson, a 21-year-old redshirt sophomore, transferred to UCLA from Louisville, where he had limited playing time over two seasons. In three games with the Cardinals, he completed four passes for 18 yards and rushed three times for 14 yards. At UCLA, he was competing for the backup quarterback position behind starter Nico Iamaleava, alongside Luke Duncan, but has not appeared in any games during the 2025 season.
The suspension comes at a challenging time for the UCLA football team, which has started the season with an 0-2 record after losses to Utah and UNLV. Clarkson was not with the team during their recent game against UNLV in Las Vegas, highlighting the immediate impact of his absence on the roster and team morale. Coach DeShaun Foster now faces additional pressure to address depth issues at quarterback.
Clarkson is the son of Steve Clarkson, a well-known quarterback trainer who has worked with numerous high-profile athletes. His background includes a standout high school career at St. John Bosco, where he was highly recruited. This arrest represents a significant setback in his collegiate athletic journey and could affect his future in football.
Looking ahead, the legal process will determine the next steps for Clarkson, and depending on the outcome, he may face further sanctions from UCLA. The team must navigate this distraction while focusing on improving performance and preparing for upcoming games to turn their season around.