Former Penn State defensive tackle Dvon J-Thomas, who played alongside Durant for two seasons, called him "freakish" and a mismatch, traits that Durant will carry into 2025. Durant became the second Penn State defensive starter to announce his return, joining safety Zakee Wheatley.

The Nittany part of Penn State’s mascot is unique to the school, though. It’s taken from Mount Nittany, a mountain ridge near the campus. And school legend holds that a student suggested the Nittany Lion mascot as a rival to Princeton University’s tiger.