Missouri Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz delivered heartbreaking news Tuesday when he revealed freshman offensive lineman Johnnie “DJ” Jones is on a heart transplant list.
Jones, who joined Missouri as one of the top offensive line recruits from Florida, has been dealing with a heart issue discovered during the team’s freshman intake testing over the summer.
“It's tough right now,” Drinkwitz said. “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…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.”
Drinkwitz said the medical staff initially monitored Jones for two weeks after discovering the issue. When they did not get the answers they needed, Missouri sought another evaluation and sent Jones to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
The doctors there identified a more serious problem, leading to Jones being placed on the transplant list last week. Drinkwitz was visibly emotional while discussing the situation and urged Missouri supporters to keep the freshman in their thoughts.
The head coach also referenced Jones after Missouri’s 45-17 upset of then-No. 8 Florida on Saturday, sending a message to the freshman during his postgame comments.
Jones arrived at Missouri after a standout high school career in Florida. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive tackle was a four-star recruit from Venice High School in Bradenton and ranked among the top 300 recruits nationally.