Missouri freshman DJ Jones receives heart transplant

University of Missouri freshman offensive lineman Johnnie “DJ” Jones received a heart transplant Wednesday night, Oct. 7, and was recovering after surgery that went well, coach Eli Drinkwitz said Thursday, Oct. 8. The Associated Press identified Jones as an 18-year-old freshman offensive tackle.

Missouri staff first detected a heart issue during freshman intake testing over the summer, AP reported, attributing that account to Drinkwitz. Jones was observed for two weeks before the team sought a second opinion. The team was told the previous week that he needed a transplant, AP reported.

Before the transplant, Jones had been hospitalized at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, while awaiting a transplant, AP reported. Drinkwitz’s update said Jones was recovering but did not provide a recovery timetable or say whether he could return to football. Drinkwitz also publicly thanked the donor and the donor’s family.