Mizzou freshman offensive lineman in need of heart transplant, Drinkwitz says

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Mizzou freshman offensive lineman Johnnie "DJ" Jones is need of a heart transplant, head coach Eli Drinkwitz said on Tuesday.

Jones, a Florida native, is currently hospitalized in his home state, after MU's freshmen intake tests detected an issue with his heart. Coach Drinkwitz said the lineman did stay in Columbia for a couple of weeks, when it initially happened, but after no resolution was found, Jones was sent to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida for more testing.

You can find Drinkwitz's full statement below:

"DJ was here this summer and when we we do all our freshman intake, we discovered a heart issue. We observed him for two weeks and then felt like...we weren't getting we weren't getting the resolution that we wanted and so our medical team, you know, said, let's go get more eyes and ears and wisdom. And so we sent him to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and discovered a much more significant issue," Drinkwitz said.

And last week, we found out that Johnnie's now on a heart transplant list, and he's in Mayo. And it's, it's tough right now," Drinkwitz said, through tears. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family as they go through this. I know Johnnie was watching our game [against Florida]. It's just hard, 18-year-old with everything in front of him and 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 will, but hopefully join in that prayer because he does need help in a hurry. And, yeah, we're pulling for you, buddy."

Coach Drinkwitz also referenced Jones in his postgame interview with ESPN, on Saturday, following the win over then-No. 8 Florida. He said,"I want to give a shoutout to Johnnie Jones. DJ, we love you, man. We're praying for you. We'll see you."