Decision made, Storm Duck eager for Penn State opportunity

Storm Duck can finally relax. Wednesday afternoon, the second-team All-ACC cornerback announced he’ll play for Penn State next season, ending a frantic three-week run in the transfer portal.

And, he’s ready for what’s next with the Nittany Lions. 

Leaving North Carolina as a graduate transfer, Duck has a two-fold mindset for his next chapter at Penn State. Having accomplished what he wanted as a Tarheel, a new opportunity is at hand.

“My goal going into UNC was to play football and get my degree. And I did that. It was huge for me to get my degree,” Duck said by phone Thursday. “And as far as my growth, I wanted to have a new scenery, be around new people, and just challenge myself.”

Storm Duck’s decision

At Penn State, Duck expects to have all that and more. And he knew as much from the contrast the Nittany Lions presented through the whirlwind transfer portal recruiting process.

Describing an initial onslaught of random phone calls from coaches expressing interest, Duck heard first from Penn State tight ends coach Ty Howle. Noting Howle’s passion for the football program and university at Penn State, then quickly developing a rapport with assistant recruiting coordinator Alan Zemaitis, the entire package the Nittany Lions presented stood apart, he said.

“The way he came on the phone and presented himself and presented Penn State and the opportunities that you have there, it was different than what everybody else was saying. It felt like everything was genuine,” Duck said. “All those guys, it just seemed like it was a family. I grew up being a big family person and hanging out with my family in the off time. I’m really big on relationships. 

“Becoming a part of something that the coaches are excited about, and they have good relationships with the players, it is huge. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?”

Family appeal

As a bonus, Duck also steps into a cornerbacks room led by veteran assistant coach Terry Smith. Set to build on a recent string of successes in the NFL Draft with Joey Porter Jr. this offseason, Smith has a resume Duck quickly found appealing.

Again, though, more than the instructional value of Smith’s tutelage, Duck said he found himself drawn into the total environment he’d be stepping into. 

“Coach Terry is a great guy. Seeing his resume and talking to him just makes you want to play for him. He has a lot of DBs drafted. But beyond that, just talking to him to see what type of person he was really what stood out to me,” Duck said. “I felt like he was being real with me when I was talking to him. That was huge for me, just talking to him and definitely in making my decision. He has a great resume and the formula that he has is successful. So I’m going in and trusting the formula and doing what he says. I’ll put all my trust in the coaches and just be a part of the family.”

Next steps

Set to pack up at UNC, Duck will visit Penn State on January 4, 2023, for an official visit. It will be his first time on campus, though he said he felt familiar with the university already and had previously been to Pittsburgh for games with the Tarheels. 

Also starting to connect with some of Penn State’s current players via social media, Duck said he’s looking forward to his opportunity to meet and bond with his future teammates.

Expecting a competitive environment, Penn State boasts the return of an already deep room with All-Big Ten performer Kalen King, plus Johnny Dixon, Marquis Wilson, Daequan Hardy, and Cam Miller, Duck said he’s determined to come in and help in any way he can.

“It’s just coming in and doing the right things,” Duck said. “You have to go in and earn guys’ respect. That’s with everything in life. Every place you go, they can welcome you, but it takes time to earn respect. So I’m just coming in to do everything the right way. 

“If guys need help with anything, I’m there to help. And if I need anything, me asking them, me asking coach, confused with something, just all that stuff. I want to come in and be the best leader I can be, show that it’s all from the heart. Coming to Penn State, you gotta be all in, so that’s where I’m at.”

The end of one chapter and the start of the next, intending to develop in one year of action with the Nittany Lions as a graduate transfer, it’s an opportunity he’s looking forward to maximizing. He’ll enroll for the spring semester with classes beginning on Jan. 9.

“It’s Penn State,” he said. “I grew up seeing some of Penn State’s games. Seeing the White Out and how crazy that game is, that environment is something you dream of playing in. All that and just the family aspect, the genuine people there, is what made me want to choose Penn State.”