The support around Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones keeps growing, and now there’s a positive update from the family after his heart transplant.
On Monday, the Jones family said he is “healing and making positive progress following his heart transplant. We’re grateful for every step forward,” while also thanking the people who have rallied around him. The family said that “the nearly 500 people who have supported and contributed to this healing and donation effort” have made a major difference, and asked people to keep Jones in their thoughts and prayers as he recovers.
The fundraising effort tied to Jones and his family has also picked up steam, with more than $42,000 raised toward a $200K goal.
Missouri’s players made sure Jones was on their minds on Saturday against Texas A&M. The Tigers wore yellow “DJ” stickers on the backs of their helmets and buttons in his honor during the win.
After the game, head coach Eli Drinkwitz spoke about Jones, the donor and the donor’s family. “Thinking about the donor and their family and what they had to go through, but knowing that there’s still a lot of work left to be done for DJ and a lot of prayers he still needs,” he said. “It’s awesome to win, but the outcome doesn’t change how we feel about DJ.”
Drinkwitz also pointed to the way people outside Columbia have stepped up. Jones has been receiving treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, about 250 miles from his hometown of Bradenton, Florida, and when his family needed a place to stay, a person from Florida State University offered a condo, Drinkwitz said.
“It’s just unbelievable what this human, college football people can do, and just so appreciative of fans saying, ‘Let’s just help,’” he said. “People helping people is a powerful thing.
And DJ knows that we’re pulling for him, and their family knows. DJ Sr. and Kia know that we’re doing everything we can.
“We’re proud to stand with him in this fight.”
Jones arrived at Missouri as one of the top tackles in Florida, a four-star, top-300 recruit. He played his senior year at Venice High and was part of Berkeley Prep’s 2023 Florida Class 2M state championship, the first in program history.
Missouri first sent him home state for further evaluation after a heart issue was detected before fall camp. There was some optimism in July when Jones was discharged from hospital care and showed progress, but it was later determined he needed a heart transplant.
Through it all, his teammates have stayed in contact. Quarterback Austin Simmons said Jones has remained upbeat during a difficult stretch.
“I‘m just really like loving the fact that he’s been positive throughout this whole entire period in his life,” Simmons said. “It’s a rough patch, and he’s been going through a lot mentally and physically. Of course, he’s been talking to us in our group chat with the team, and it’s just great hearing from him a lot.
“So my prayers go out to him, and I’m just wishing him best in a speedy recovery.”
In Other News...
Missouri Just Watched Texas A&Ms Frustration Spill Into Something Bigger
Texas A&Ms 27-6 loss to Missouri left the Aggies sitting at 3-3, and the disappointment carried well beyond the final whistle. What might have stayed a routine postgame reaction instead turned into a broader conversation about frustration around the program, with head coach Jimbo Fisher Elko taking aim at a segment of the online crowd and describing it as a cesspool while trying to separate those critics from the wider fan base.
Billy Liucci, the co-owner of TexAgs, was among those who pushed back, calling the remarks ridiculously tone deaf. For Missouri, the game itself was the cleanest statement, but the aftermath showed just how quickly a loss can open the door to a larger mess when a program is already feeling the pressure. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Still Waiting On Ahmad Hardy As Jamal Roberts Keeps Delivering
Ahmad Hardys return is still on hold as Missouri continues to work through the aftermath of the offseason upper-leg gunshot wound that has kept the running back out of action. Eli Drinkwitz said Hardy has not even begun the required two-week ramp-up period yet, which means he will not be available for the Tigers upcoming game against No. 9 Ole Miss.
In the meantime, Jamal Roberts has turned a backup role into a major part of Missouris offense. His breakout season has already pushed beyond what he produced a year ago, and his steady contribution has helped fuel the Tigers recent wins while Hardy remains sidelined and the timeline for his comeback stays unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
LaNorris Sellers Just Gave South Carolina Real SEC Momentum
The SECs Week 6 honors list offered another reminder of how wide open the league has felt early this season, with South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers sharing Co-Offensive Player of the Week recognition after a performance that has helped shift the conversation around the Gamecocks. For Missouri fans watching the conference race, it is the kind of weekly update that matters because South Carolina keeps showing it can stay in the mix when the games get tougher and the margin for error gets smaller.
Sellers recognition landed alongside a crowded award slate that also included Jamal Roberts on offense, Peyton Bowen on defense and a handful of other standouts across the conference, underscoring just how many teams are producing difference-makers right now. For Missouri, the bigger takeaway is less about the trophy shelf and more about what it says about the teams standing in the way: South Carolina has enough momentum to keep making noise, and that only raises the stakes the next time these programs end up on the same stage. [Read more 🡒]