UCLA QB Pierce Clarkson arrested on suspicion of assault with deadly weapon charge

UCLA’s on-field misery is extending away from the gridiron.

Bruins backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson was arrested last Friday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, according to NBC Los Angeles.

The program has since suspended him.

“We are aware of the charges against Pierce Clarkson. He has been indefinitely suspended from all team activity pending the outcome of the legal process,” UCLA said in a statement, per the outlet.

“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.

The Los Angeles Police Department’s southwest division arrested the 21-year-old Clarkson last Friday, and his bail was set at $30,000, per NBC Los Angeles.

Clarkson reportedly was released later that evening, and has a court date set for Oct. 3.

The redshirt sophomore from Bellflower, Calif. spent two seasons with Louisville and the spring session with Ole Miss before transferring to UCLA for the 2025-26 campaign.

He has not appeared in a game for the Bruins this season.

Pierce is the son of prominent quarterback guru Steve Clarkson.

UCLA is off to a miserable 0-2 start in which the Bruins have been outscored 73-33 by Utah (43-10) and UNLV (30-23) despite the hyped addition of quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

Iamaleava, who transferred after an ugly NIL spat with Tennessee, has thrown for just 391 yards and two touchdowns, while also tossing two interceptions.

“I’m just frustrated because when you know we can execute better than we were and put together two halves like I wish we could’ve done, the outcome would’ve been different,” UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said after the road loss against UNLV, per ESPN.

Clarkson is behind Iamaleava on the depth chart, and he earned a four-star ranking as a prospect, according to his UCLA bio.

He threw for 1,903 yards and 26 touchdowns his senior year while leading St. John Bosco to the national No. 1 ranking, according to his biography.

UCLA returns to the field Friday at home against a 1-1 New Mexico squad.