College football just got hit with another off-the-field headline that has nothing to do with touchdowns or highlight reels. UCLA quarterback Pierce Clarkson has been suspended indefinitely after being arrested in Los Angeles, California, on a serious charge: assault with a deadly weapon.
According to the Daily Mail, Clarkson is facing “A charge of assault with a deadly weapon, not a firearm, with great bodily injury.” The 21-year-old was arrested Friday by the LAPD’s Southwest Division, booked, and later released on $30,000 bail. His first court date is locked in for October 3, and until then, his football future is on ice.
The Bruins didn’t waste time making a decision. The school confirmed Clarkson’s suspension, releasing a statement that read, “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.” Translation? Don’t expect him back on the field anytime soon. Fans are just as angry as well. This kid just “Acts like a thug” all the time, wrote one unhappy fan. “I dislike UCLA QBs,” said another.
California’s Pierce Clarkson Is in Hot Water
This isn’t just bad timing, it’s brutal timing. Clarkson transferred to UCLA in May after a brief pit stop at Ole Miss in January. The thing is, he hasn’t even taken a snap for the Bruins yet. His college career so far has been a whole lot of moving around without much playing time. At Louisville, where he started, Clarkson threw six passes for just 18 yards and rushed five times for nine yards across two seasons. For a guy who was once a highly touted four-star recruit out of St. John Bosco in Bellflower, California, this wasn’t exactly the trajectory most expected.
Meanwhile, UCLA’s quarterback room was already set without him. Freshman Nico Iamaleava has started both games for the Bruins so far this season, though both ended in disappointment with losses to Utah and UNLV. Clarkson’s suspension only makes things clearer for coach Chip Kelly’s staff: this is Nico’s team now, and Pierce might not even get a chance to change that.
What makes this story even more shocking is Clarkson’s pedigree. He’s not just another college QB trying to find his way; he’s the son of renowned quarterback trainer Steve Clarkson. If you’ve followed football, you know that name. Steve Clarkson has worked with some of the biggest names in the game, including Ben Roethlisberger and Tim Tebow. Pierce was supposed to be the next in line, the prodigy who carried the family legacy forward. Instead, he’s making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
What’s Next for Pierce Clarkson
It’s worth remembering that a suspension doesn’t equal guilt; Clarkson’s case still has to play out in court. But the fact that the charge includes “great bodily injury” is concerning enough that UCLA had little choice but to sideline him. Football programs don’t want that kind of distraction, especially one this serious.
For Clarkson, this could be a make-or-break moment in his career. He came into college ball with promise and a famous last name, but three schools later, he still hasn’t been able to find his footing on the field. Now, his biggest battle isn’t about beating a defensive line; it’s about clearing his name in court.
One thing’s for sure: this story is far from over. October 3rd is going to be a date circled not just by UCLA fans but by anyone following college football drama. Until then, Clarkson remains suspended indefinitely. This leaves his future with the Bruins, and maybe in the sport altogether, hanging by a thread.
