Missouri freshman tackle DJ Jones needs a heart transplant, Drinkwitz says

Missouri freshman offensive tackle Johnnie "DJ" Jones is hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and needs a heart transplant, coach Eli Drinkwitz said Tuesday, as reported by ESPN.

Drinkwitz, who struggled to get through the announcement at his weekly news conference in Columbia, said Missouri's medical staff first flagged a heart issue during freshman testing this summer. After a couple of weeks of monitoring did not produce the answer the staff wanted, Jones was sent to Mayo for further testing, where doctors found a more serious condition. Last week the team learned he had been placed on the transplant list.

"He does need help in a hurry," Drinkwitz said, asking Missouri fans to keep Jones and his family in their prayers.

Jones was one of the top offensive line prospects in the country as a senior at Venice High School in Florida last year. Drinkwitz had already sent him a message in his postgame interview Saturday, after the Tigers' 45-17 win over then-No. 8 Florida, saying he knew Jones had been watching.

The win moved Missouri up 11 spots to No. 14 in this week's AP poll. The Tigers host Texas A&M on Saturday at noon ET on ABC.