BREAKING: UCLA QB Pierce Clarkson Arrested on Felony Charge

On September 5, 2025, Pierce Clarkson, the quarterback for the UCLA Bruins, was arrested on a felony charge by LAPD. The LAPD arrested Clarkson under the Southwest Division and released him on a $30,000 bail the same day. 

The Bruins wasted no time in suspending Clarkson indefinitely, prohibiting from all football, and team activities. Clarkson's first court appearance is set for October 3, 2025. 

This capmemberated responsibility of the latest an unbrokered function takes place only months following Clarkson transferred to UCLA in May 2025, trying to revitalize his career after two years at Louisville, and one year at Ole Miss.

Quick Timeline Of Events

Who Is Pierce Clarkson?

To grasp just how significant this news is, you need to know who Clarkson is:

Age: 21 (Redshirt Sophomore)

High School: St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) - one of the premier high school football programs in the country.

Family: Son of Steve Clarkson, a well-known quarterback coach in the state of California.

Recruitment: This was a four-star recruit and one of the most followed quarterbacks during his high school years.

College Adventure:

Signed with Louisville Cardinals in 2023.

Transferred to Ole Miss Rebels in January 2025.

Then in May 2025 he transferred to UCLA Bruins.

Clarkson was viewed as a talented dual-threat QB with tremendous potential, but his transition has been difficult and with lots of stops along the way.

Considered one of the top backup quarterbacks on the Bruins, the 21-year-old only joined the team in May of this year. Full Story: https://t.co/OCtgpMbizY pic.twitter.com/GASeyt3WVr

— KTLA (@KTLA) September 8, 2025

Details Of The Arrest

Arrest on: 5 September 2025

Location: Los Angeles, LAPD Southwest Division

Charge: Unspecified felony (evidence of possible assault charges based on media speculation only at this time)

Bail: $30,000

Released: Same day as the arrest, pending court proceedings.

Court Date: 3 October 2025

Key Note: UCLA and LAPD have not revealed the specific felony charged, which is why the reports have been variable, given the mixed evidence, There has been speculation about 'domestic violence' and 'assault with a deadly weapon' however, this is pure speculation as none of the claims have been confirmed.

UCLA’s Official Stand

The university issued a statement:

Clarkson is not allowed to participate.

The matter has been sent to the Office of Student Conduct.

Clarkson can have no contact with the player, take no part in practice, games, or other team activities until the matter has been cleared.

This obviously places Clarkson’s college football future in question, at least for the immediate future.

Impact On UCLA Bruins Football

The Bruins already had a settled QB in Nico Iamaleava, so Clarkson’s absence won’t affect the starting lineup. But his suspension shrinks the backup depth, which could be an issue if injuries hit.

Human Angle – Why This Hits Hard

Clarkson’s story has more to it than just football. It’s about dreams, family heritage, and the pressure of being a young athlete. 

He grew up in the “football bubble,” as his father coached elite quarterbacks. 

As a teenager, he was compared to future NFL stars. 

Yet, until now, his college experience has been filled with transfers, adapting and chasing opportunities. 

At the moment, he’s not chasing touchdowns. He’s preparing for a court battle. 

For fans, it feels like watching a promising young man lose control of a dream that many kids chase.

Media Reactions

Various media organizations have adopted different tones in their coverage: 

Los Angeles Times / Daily Bruin - had a focus on the official arrest, suspension, and court date.

Fox 11 LA - reported the alleged assault/domestic violence angle (no confirmation) 

Sports Illustrated / ESPN / On3 - put this in context of his transfers and UCLA career. 

The coverage demonstrates the ambiguity surrounding the case and the fact that there are no details of any charges that provide a level of uncertainty and allows for speculation.

Reactions From Fans

Reactions on social media have been all over the board:

Some support him, saying: "He's only 21, let's just let the truth play out."

Some criticized: "way too much hype, way too many transfers, now this."

UCLA community feels disappointed because off-field issues are always a distraction to a team.

What Happens Next?

A court hearing on October 3, 2025 will determine whether the proceedings of the case will advance.

UCLA will proceed with its actions in light of the legal decision.

If he is cleared from charges, he might attempt to return to school, but trust is already shaken.

If he is convicted he may lose his college football career in one fell swoop.

Possible Scenarios Ahead

Athletes And Off-Field Issues

This event raises – again – the dilemma of college athletes feeling pressure: 

Fame, school, and performance are difficult to balance. 

Too often, media attention puts the athlete in a situation of unrealistic expectations. 

Once one step goes wrong - proven or not - lives can change forever. 

Pierce Clarkson has now become the latest case study of how rapidly dreams can come unglued.