Johnnie “DJ” Jones, a freshman offensive lineman for the Missouri Tigers, is on the mend following a heart transplant, as announced by his coach Eli Drinkwitz on Thursday. The coach shared a positive update via social media, reporting that the surgery was successful and Jones is currently recovering.
“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,” wrote Drinkwitz, who is in his seventh year with the Tigers.
Before the mandatory heart screening revealed an underlying defect, Jones showed no health symptoms. Missouri’s head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, was present before a college football game against Florida on October 3, 2026, in Columbia, Missouri.
According to Drinkwitz, Jones had been receiving care at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, while he awaited the transplant. The issue with Jones’ heart was first identified during freshman intake testing over the summer, the coach explained earlier in the week.
Missouri’s medical team pursued a second opinion from the Mayo Clinic after two weeks without resolution or answers. The medical team at Mayo Clinic identified a more significant heart problem, which led to the conclusion that he required a transplant.
Jones, 18, graduated from Venice High School on Florida’s Gulf Coast and joined Missouri as a four-star recruit. Heading into Week 6, Missouri has a 4-1 record and will host Columbia on Saturday.