Durst began his collegiate career as a first baseman at Division I Stephen F. Austin, where he played in 17 games and hit .192 in 2021. He then transferred to Howard Community College in Big Spring, Texas, for his sophomore season in 2022, playing in 33 games and batting .299 with 23 RBIs and four home runs, while also pitching one inning. Durst completed his collegiate career at Division II Cameron University from 2023 to 2024, playing as both a pitcher and an infielder. In his two seasons at Cameron, he appeared in 78 games, hitting .335 with 20 home runs and 62 RBIs, while pitching 65 innings with a 7.34 ERA. In 2024, he excelled on the mound, throwing 56.2 innings, striking out 51 batters, and posting a 4.76 ERA, earning third-team all-Lone Star Conference honors as a starting pitcher. After college, Durst signed with the Guelph Royals of the Intercounty Baseball League midway through the season as a two-way player. He hit .217 in seven games and pitched in 10 games, making three starts. He struck out 33 batters in 31.1 innings, earning three saves and maintaining a 2.30 ERA.