College Football Player, 18, Urgently Needs Heart Transplant, Coach Says: ‘It’s Tough Right Now’

Published by First for Sports on October 7, 2026 at 10:24 AM ET

A University of Missouri offensive lineman is in urgent need of a heart transplant, his coach has confirmed. Tigers coach Eli Drinkwitz announced in an emotional press conference on Tuesday, October 6, that 18-year-old Johnnie “DJ” Jones is currently hospitalized in Jacksonville, Florida. “It’s tough right now,” Drinkwitz said in a video shared by ABC’s […]

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