A student-athlete enrolled at the University of Missouri is now in recovery after undergoing serious surgery. According to Bleacher Report, offensive lineman Johnnie “DJ” Jones was the recipient of a heart transplant after undergoing tests that revealed his need for the procedure.
Head football coach Eliah Drinkwitz said that team doctors first discovered a health issue after Jones joined the team this summer. He continued to share that Jones remained under observation for two weeks with his team before he was diagnosed with a “much more significant issue,” resulting in the 18-year-old being placed on a heart transplant list on Tuesday (Oct. 6).
“I have a great update to share on DJ. Last night, DJ received his heart transplant, and his surgery went well. He is now recovering,” wrote Drinkwitz in a statement shared on social media Thursday morning. “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. Please continue to keep DJ, his family, the donor family, and his caregivers in your prayers as he begins the recovery process.”
A supportive message was also shared by the university’s football team’s official Instagram account. The profile shared a photo of a Missouri helmet placed on a field with “DJ” printed inside a heart, with the caption “The whole Mizzou family is behind you.”
As noted by “Bleacher Report,” Jones graduated from Venice High School in Venice, Florida, and was originally pledged to join UCLA before signing to the Tigers as the No. 11 offensive tackle in the incoming 2026 class.
A SupportNow fundraiser has been launched for Jones and his family to assist with the overwhelming financial impact caused by time away from work, hospital bills, household bills, transportation, meals, and other everyday expenses.
“We are creating this support system to help ease some of that burden, allowing the Jones family to focus their energy where it belongs — on DJ, his care, his healing, and being together as a family,” explained the digital campaign.
The family also shared an update following Jones’ surgery, writing, “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. Please continue to keep DJ, his family, the donor family, and his caregivers in your prayers as he begins the recovery process. We are so thankful for the incredible prayers and support from the entire Mizzou Family.”
