Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz delivered heartbreaking news Tuesday when he said freshman offensive tackle Johnnie “DJ” Jones is on a heart transplant list in Florida.
Drinkwitz said the issue surfaced after Jones arrived in Columbia over the summer. Missouri’s staff identified a heart problem, then monitored him for two weeks before sending him to the Mayo Clinic’s Jacksonville campus for further testing.
“We weren’t getting the resolution that we wanted,” Drinkwitz said.
That evaluation led to a more serious diagnosis. Drinkwitz said doctors found a “much more significant issue,” and Jones was placed on the transplant list last week. He remains at the clinic.
“It’s tough right now,” Drinkwitz said, pausing several times as he spoke. “Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they go through this.
I know Johnnie was watching our game. ... It’s just hard.
“An 18-year-old with everything in front of him. You’re just not prepared for that kind of news.
Our team wasn’t prepared for that kind of news. But we’re praying for him, and I know a lot of Mizzou fans would hopefully join in that prayer because he does need help, in a hurry.
“We’re pulling for you buddy.”
Jones, a native of Bradenton, Florida, was one of the top offensive tackles in Florida in last year’s recruiting cycle. The four-star prospect was listed by various outlets among the top 300 recruits and checked in at 6-foot-6, 315 pounds.
Before coming to Missouri, Jones was part of Berkeley Prep’s 2023 FHSAA Class 2M state championship team, the first title in school history. He later transferred from the Tampa Bay-area school to Venice High, where he helped the Indians reach the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals as a senior.
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