Mizzou Freshman Jones Received a Heart Transplant Wednesday, Drinkwitz Says
The freshman offensive tackle is recovering after a donor heart made the surgery possible, and Missouri officials said doctors found the condition was more serious than first thought.
- Missouri freshman offensive lineman Johnnie "DJ" Jones underwent a successful heart transplant Wednesday night, head coach Eli Drinkwitz announced Thursday morning. Jones is currently recovering from the procedure.
- Tigers medical staff detected heart issues during freshman intake testing this summer. After two weeks of observation in Columbia, Missouri, the team sent Jones to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, for a second opinion, where doctors discovered a significant issue.
- An 18-year-old consensus four-star recruit from Bradenton, Florida, Jones was ranked No. 161 nationally in the 2026 class. Drinkwitz described him as "an 18 year old with everything in front of him" while requesting prayers for recovery.
- A SupportNow fundraiser has been established to help the Jones family with immediate and ongoing expenses. The page aims to "allow the Jones family to focus their energy where it belongs — on DJ, his care, his healing, and being together as a family."
- Drinkwitz expressed gratitude for the medical team and donor family, saying "we are incredibly grateful for the donor and donor family whose extraordinary gift made this possible." He asked fans to continue praying for Jones' ongoing recovery.
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The RecordMissouri coach Eli Drinkwitz says freshman Johnnie ‘DJ’ Jones receives a heart transplant
Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones has received a heart transplant, coach Eli Drinkwitz said. Drinkwitz announced on X on Thursday morning that the surgery Wednesday went well and that Jones was recovering. “We are incredibly grateful for the medical team who cared for DJ and for the donor and donor family whose extraordinary...
Missouri Freshman Football Player Receives Life-Saving Heart Transplant After Coach's Emotional Plea
Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed on Thursday morning that D.J. Jones, a freshman offensive lineman, had a heart transplant on Wednesday night and is recuperating following a successful procedure. According to Drinkwitz, who first discussed D.J. Jones’ condition in public on Tuesday, he had been admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, […]
Missouri freshman OL receives heart transplant, Drinkwitz ...
Missouri freshman OL undergoes heart transplant
By Field Level Media Oct 08 (Field Level Media) - Missouri freshman offensive lineman Johnnie "DJ" Jones underwent heart transplant surgery Wednesday night and was recovering in the hospital, Eli Drinkwitz announced Thursday morning. It was just Tues...
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