More than friends?

So, there's a boy who I've been pretty good friends with for years, we've both liked each other when we were younger, but it never went anywhere, now I think I like him again, but he has a female "friend" who he's been obsessed with since last year - it seems that he would like to be more than friends, and he follows her around like a lost puppy, but he is definitely 'friend zoned'. In my opinion she's a bit superficial (e.g. she's told him she'll only go to the end of year formal with her if he gets fitter! Poor guy...)
I'm confused about whether he is still after her or whether he might like me (possibly wishful thinking...) This is because last night we hugged, as a 'goodbye' after a party, and he hugged me really tightly and for a couple of seconds longer than I would have expected, in fact, I think it was me who pulled away after a while, not really him. It was just such a lovely, sincere hug, and we've never hugged before. Could he like me as more than a friend?
p.s. I know I hug seems like nothing, but thing is that neither of us has ever kissed, held hands, had a bf/gf before, and we're not really people who go around hugging everyone, so it's unusual.
p.p.s. we're both seventeen.

If he continuously follows her around like a lost puppy and he likes her as you put it then he's attracted to her, not you.

Have you ever wondered whether your friendship might take a hit should you try getting closer and things go wrong?

i think your only friends but does he know you like him? (boys are a pickle sometimes and can't know whether you like them or not lest you tell him)

I don't know, I doubt it, but as I said above I don't want to risk a great friendship by telling him or doing anything that could make things awkward.