Mizzou Freshman Lineman DJ Jones Needs Heart Transplant

University of Missouri freshman offensive lineman Johnnie “DJ” Jones, 18, requires a heart transplant, coach Eli Drinkwitz announced Tuesday. Jones, a 6-foot-6, 305-pound player from Venice, Florida, was found to have a heart issue during freshman intake testing over the summer. Doctors monitored him for two weeks. When the condition did not improve, the team sought a second opinion.

Jones then went to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. There, doctors discovered a more significant issue, and last week, they placed him on the heart transplant list. He remains at the Mayo Clinic.

“It’s tough right now,” Drinkwitz said during a news conference. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they go through this. I know Johnnie was watching our game [against Florida]. It’s just hard. An 18-year-old with everything in front of him, and you’re just not prepared for that kind of news.”

Drinkwitz asked for support from the Mizzou community, stating, “We’re praying for him, and I know a lot of Mizzou fans will hopefully join in that prayer because he does need help in a hurry.” The coach concluded by saying, “We’re pulling for you, buddy.”