Pitt QB Signee Julian Dugger Named Finalist for Top WPIAL Award

Julian Dugger is in the running for one of the top honors for WPIAL quarterbacks.

Dugger, who signed with Pitt in December and enrolled in January, is one of the five finalists for the Willie Thrower Award, which is given to the top quarterback in the WPIAL.

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He’s joined by Peters Township’s Nolan DiLucia, North Allegheny’s Logan Kushner, Fort Cherry’s Matt Sieg, Central Catholic’s Payton Wehner and Montour’s Jake Wolfe.

Finalists for the Willie Thrower Quarterback Award:

Nolan DiLucia: Peters Twp, Matt Sieg: Fort Cherry, Julian Dugger: Penn Hills, Logan Kushner: North Allegheny, Jake Wolfe: Montour, Payton Wehner: Central Catholic.

The winner will be revealed April 6th #wtae #wpial pic.twitter.com/88CzJ1PGat

— Andrew Stockey (@astockeyWTAE) January 25, 2024

Pat Narduzzi feels like Dugger, a left-handed quarterback who was recruited to Pitt by Frank Cignetti Jr., is actually a better fit in the new offense run by Kade Bell.

“I do think it’ll be better (for Dugger to play in),” Narduzzi said. “Coach Bell is left-handed. When he jumped up on the board, I’m like, ‘Hey, Julian’s left-handed, too.’ You know, a lot of people don’t like left-handed quarterbacks. I think that’s maybe one of the reasons he was still waiting for us in the summer.” 

Dugger — a 6-foot-4, 205-pound quarterback from Penn Hills — committed to Pitt over the summer, choosing the Panthers over a couple of MAC programs, and it came after he reignited the coaching staff’s interest after a standout showing during a camp appearance.

“I think I impressed people with my footwork and the fact that we were winning and didn’t get stopped the entire camp,” Dugger told PSN in June. “During the camp, I had a very high completion percentage. I was doing a good job of throwing the ball on time and throwing to where my receivers were supposed to be and not waiting for them to get to a spot. I was throwing with anticipation.

“I went to this camp with the goal of showcasing to all the coaches there my talent and showing everyone how I really can throw the ball. I also went there with the goal of winning, which I knew would bring me attention.”

Dugger put together a strong senior season at Penn Hills, completing 101-of-192 pass attempts (53%) for 1,646 yards and 20 touchdowns — adding 126 carries for 776 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and 11 touchdowns. He’s a left-handed quarterback, standing at 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, and he’s regarded as an excellent athlete.

But Narduzzi doesn’t view Dugger as a dual threat. He views him as a quarterback.

“I don’t think it matters which way that ball comes out,” Narduzzi said. “He’s talented. He’s athletic. And he fit our offense. You know, you talk about dual threat and drop back. … He’s got capabilities of doing both. It’s not like this athletic quarterback that we’re just gonna make all these quarterback runs up now because he’s got a great arm.

“And I don’t want to put in that box of a dual threat. I think he’s a drop-back quarterback that’s athletic enough to get out of trouble — use his feet, make plays with his feet. He can throw the ball. He’s got great touch and he’s really, really intelligent.”

Dugger is now in the running for the best quarterback in the WPIAL last season, and the winner of the award will be announced on April 6 at a special ceremony.