Pitt QB Julian Dugger Taking it to the ‘Next Level’ this Spring

In just four short months, Penn Hills grad and Pitt football redshirt freshman quarterback Julian Dugger went from buried on the depth chart to a promising top backup option for the Panthers.

Opportunity and hard work were at the forefront of the fast-rising journey for Dugger that eventually gave way to his first appearance in college football back in December against Toledo in the GameAbove Bowl.

While Pitt came out on the losing end, it was a moment that Dugger — who’s only Power Four offer came from the hometown school — made the most of and proved that he belonged at Pitt.

“It taught me a lot,” Dugger said this week. “It showed me how to get prepared on a college level. It’s a lot different than high school. A lot more comes with that. Just after, showing next season what I can do better to be better than I was last year and try and improve on that.”

The 6-3, 205-pound dual-threat quarterback completed 7-of-13 passes for 72 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Toledo. He also ran for 88 yards and a score.

Julian Dugger threads the needle to stretch the lead for Pitt 👀 pic.twitter.com/JbB7jHNUEb

— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 26, 2024

His immediate impact was evident and he has carried that momentum into the spring.

“Julian’s been really good,” Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi said Tuesday. “All three quarterbacks have been good and we’re happy with them all. Julian’s going to beat you with his feet. On the scrimmage day one, he had a beautiful 69-yarder, nobody touched him. He strides it out. Julian’s taken it to the next level. He’s a totally different player mentally and physically. I think he’s studied the game more.

“That bowl game was great as far as his confidence going, ‘OK, I got it.’ I think it’s given him the opportunity when January came around to study it more. He’s really dedicated to it.”

Dugger has spent the past few months in the film room with offensive coordinator Kade Bell and his fellow quarterbacks.

“Just coming in after practice every day taking something from every practice trying to learn something, watching the film. Trying to take something every day and focus on that the next practice and build everyday,” Dugger said.

Bell has taken note of the progress Dugger is making and why he’s become a viable backup for the Panthers.

“Dugger’s taken a big stride just playing the position,” Bell said Thursday. “He showed in the bowl game that he’s really athletic and the quarterback run and some things you can do with him is pretty cool. Learning how to play the game at quarterback, learning how to lead, learning how to be consistent as a quarterback, he’s made a huge stride.”

Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Julian Dugger (12) December 26, 2024 David Hague/PSN

While Dugger flashed his athletic mobility in the bowl game, his priority this offseason was to evolve his arm talent.

“I would say I grew a lot,” Dugger said on throwing. “That was more of my main focus. Being gifted athletically, that’s a given, but trying to build as a quarterback and just working on things for that was a big thing for me this offseason.”

Part of his process has also been working on protecting the ball.

“I like to protect the ball. That comes with watching film, knowing where people are at. Just trying to anticipate throws will help you be more cautious with the football,” he said.

During Pitt’s spring camp, Dugger has continued to make plays both with his arm and feet. Most notably, he took off on a 69-yard zone read for a touchdown during one of the team’s scrimmages.

“It was a zone read and the defensive end went with the running back, so I pulled it. Made a few guys miss and then took off down the sideline,” Dugger said.

Pitt quarterback Julian Dugger (12) and running back Juelz Goff (26) during spring practice. March 13, 2025 / Ed Thompson. PSN.

Pitt’s quarterback room is becoming known as one of the more athletic groups of signal callers the Panthers have had in quite some time. It has even led to the incorporation of Dugger in specific packages.

“The great thing about it is now, you have teams that have to game plan for that,” Bell said. “You now take some hits off Eli. There’s a lot of cool things you can do with getting him on the perimeter, letting him read people and do different things that can help the running backs out. We ran the ball a lot better earlier in the year. You have Eli who can run the ball and do those things, too. When you got a guy like that, there’s some fun things you can do.”

There will be the designed runs, but more importantly, Dugger’s ability to scramble is an advantage for the Panthers.

“At quarterback, every play is not perfect. When something breaks down or something is not the way it looks, when you have the ability to get out of the pocket and make plays with your feet, it makes things easier,” Dugger said.

When Dugger takes the field Saturday for the Blue-Gold Spring Game, he will have another opportunity to showcase his overall growth since that bowl game performance.