The UCLA Bruins have not caught a break yet, as they fell to a 2-0 record to start the season after falling to UNLV 30-23. To make matters even worse for the team, Pierce Clarkson, a backup QB for Nico Iamaleava, was arrested and hit with felony charges ahead of the big game.
Officially, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department did not specify what charges the backup QB got, but confirmed it to be a felony and a judge set his bail at $30,000.
Clarkson was reportedly arrested last Friday, just one day ahead of the game against UNLV, and this arrest is reportedly connected to domestic violence, according to reports. Reports indicated that he was arrested on felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and was booked by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
Before playing for the Bruins, Pierce Clarkson, a redshirt sophomore, played for Louisville before transferring to Ole Miss. He then transferred again, this time to UCLA. While UCLA does not officially release the team’s depth charts, he is reportedly the No. 3 QB, right behind Nico Iamaleava and Luke Duncan.
Clarkson’s father is a well-known quarterback coach named Steve Clarkson, who has worked with a lot of NFL stars such as former Pittsburgh Steelers star Ben Roethlisberger. The UCLA quarterback is now scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 3 and has been suspended from the team by UCLA.
UCLA Confirms Charges Filed Against Pierce Clarkson, Releases Official Statement
Soon after Pierce Clarkson’s arrest in Los Angeles, the school itself released its official statement, confirming that the quarterback did indeed get arrested and felony charges were filed against 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. 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 UCLA official statement read.
Clarkson was originally from California, playing for one of the most prestigious schools in the LA area, St. John Bosco in Bellflower. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and chose to go to Louisville, spending two seasons there before transferring out.
His suspension may not be a big blow to the Bruins, which still has backup QB Luka Duncan ready to take over in case something happens to their superstar QB Nico Iamaleava, who made waves after announcing his surprise transfer from Tennessee.
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