UCLA QB Pierce Clarkson arrested on felony charges

UCLA backup quarterback Pierce Clarkson was reportedly arrested on a felony charge on Friday, according to a report from The Los Angeles Times. The news surfaced on Sunday evening.

Clarkson spent his first two years in college at Louisville before transferring to UCLA this season. He has been suspended from the program indefinitely, according to a UCLA statement obtained by the LA Times.

“We are aware of the charges against Pierce Clarkson,” the UCLA statement read. “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 has played very sparingly through two seasons and change. He attempted just two passes as a true freshman in 2023, then attempted only four in his second season in 2024.

In that span, Pierce Clarkson went 4-of-6 passing for 18 yards. He did not throw a touchdown or an interception. He also ran five times for nine yards.

So far this season, Clarkson has not contributed for the Bruins. He is the backup to Nico Iamaleava, who transferred into the program this offseason from Tennessee.

UCLA quarterbacks have faced heavy criticism

It’s been a tough start to the season for Iamaleava and the UCLA quarterback room. After the season opener against Utah, Iamaleava’s performance was picked apart by several analysts. ESPN’s Booger McFarland was among the most vocal.

Iamaleava’s debut in the bruin blue and gold was a complete disaster, as the Utes jumped out to a 20-0 lead just three minutes into the second quarter. The Bruins were never in the game and fell 43-10 to kick off their 2025 season.

McFarland completely obliterated Iamaleava and UCLA on Tuesday’s edition of ‘Pardon My Take‘, claiming that his replacement at Tennessee (Joey Aguilar) played better in the Volunteers’ season opener against Syracuse than he ever did in Knoxville.

“How about Nico Iamaleava?” McFarland said. “Leaves (Tennessee), says ‘I don’t wanna be there.’ He goes to UCLA and gets hammered by Utah. They suck. In comes Joey Aguilar (for Tennessee). Nobody’s ever heard of him and he just lights it up and dare I say played better than Iamaleava ever did last year. I love to see stories like that when the guy is maybe too high and mighty and leaves and in comes the other guy who plays better.”

Week 2 didn’t go much better for Iamaleava. Down seven inside a minute to go, UCLA was driving down the field looking to at least force overtime in a game against UNLV.

Instead, Iamaleava wound up throwing the game-sealing interception. His pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and soared into the air like a flyball to centerfield. A UNLV defender, Aamaris Brown, got under the ball, secured the INT, and the party was on.

On3’s Daniel Hager and Griffin McVeigh also contributed to this report.