Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones underwent a successful heart transplant Wednesday night, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz shared in a statement Thursday morning.
Jones went on the transplant list after Missouri's medical staff discovered a heart issue in the summer that turned out to be more significant than doctors initially thought. The team evaluated Jones’ condition for two weeks before sending him to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, for a second opinion.
The team learned last week that Jones needed a heart transplant. Drinkwitz said Tuesday that Jones needed help fast.
“It’s tough right now,” Drinkwitz said while choking up. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as he goes through this.”
Jones is now recovering from the surgery.
"We are incredibly grateful for the medical team who cared for DJ and for the donor and donor family whose extraordinary gift made this possible," Drinkwitz said in the statement.
Drinkwitz’s Tuesday press conference was the first time that Jones' condition was publicly announced. Jones was watching Missouri's game against Florida on Saturday when Drinkwitz gave his prayers to the offensive lineman during his postgame interview on the TV broadcast.
"I want to give a shoutout to Johnnie Jones," Drinkwitz said. "DJ, we love you, man. We're praying for you. We'll see you."
A Bradenton, Florida, product, Jones was the highest-rated player in Missouri's 2026 recruiting class.
"An 18 year old with everything in front of him," Drinkwitz said. "Our team wasn't prepared for that kind of news. We're praying for him. I hope Mizzou fans will join us in praying for him."
(The Center Square) - Candidates for U.S. Senate in Georgia debated over healthcare policy, gas prices and tariffs on Thursday night in a hotly contested race with national attention.
HELENA, Mont. – The midterm election is quickly approaching, with more than half a million in-state absentee ballots slated to go out to Montana voters this Friday. For the past year, Montanans have had to sign their birth year along with their signature, but a recent state district court ruling has changed that.
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