UCLA suspends back-up Quarterback Pierce Clarkson after he was arrested on felony charges

UCLA’s backup quarterback, Pierce Clarkson, was arrested on felony charges Friday, causing serious concern for the Bruins’ quarterback depth. Clarkson, who had been one of the primary backups to struggling starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava, has now been indefinitely suspended from the team as the legal process unfolds.

The arrest took place under the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Division, with bail set at $30,000. His first court hearing is scheduled for October 3.

This arrest comes at a particularly unsettling time for UCLA, as Iamaleava’s performance has been far from reassuring. With Clarkson’s absence, the Bruins are left even more vulnerable in a critical position on the field. An official statement from the UCLA athletic department confirmed the suspension, adding that the situation will be evaluated by the UCLA Office of Student Conduct and further action will be taken according to university policy.

Clarkson, a former standout at St. John Bosco High School and the son of renowned quarterback coach Steve Clarkson, joined the Bruins this offseason after a brief stint at Mississippi and two years at Louisville, where he saw limited action. His arrest leaves UCLA in an even more precarious position, as the team tries to recover from a demoralizing 30-23 loss to Nevada Las Vegas, where Iamaleava’s inconsistency was evident.

With no clear solution at quarterback, the Bruins face even more uncertainty moving forward.