UCLA reserve quarterback suspended after felony arrest

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- UCLA backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson has been suspended from the team indefinitely after he was arrested on felony charges.

Clarkson is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 3 to face at least one unspecified felony charge.

The 21-year-old, second-year player, was arrested on 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.

His bail was set at $30,000.

LAPD said Clarkson was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, but at this time, they do not know what was used as a weapon or what the initial call was for.

UCLA Athletics released a statement Sunday that said: "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 did not play in either of UCLA's two games this season. He 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.

He spent this spring at Mississippi before transferring to UCLA.

City News Service contributed to this report