Does My Long-Distance Guy Friend Like Me?

So, I was wondering if my best guy friend might like me more than as just a friend. We have texted every single day for over a year, for a minimum of a half hour every day. We talk about our common interests, about our families, our friends, things that happen in the day, past experiences, current problems, past relationships, debate politics, debate religious view, ideal romantic partner and other things.

We have visited each other for an average of once a month (We take turns driving so see each other). We live about 2.5 hours away from each other by car. We usually spend the day together, a couple times we have stayed at each other’s places.

There are times he will say things like: “You deserve the best”, “Your worth wild”, “Your stuck with me” / “I’m going to be around for a long time” (he uses these ones all of the time.). He has admitted that he finds me very attractive. I have asked him before what does he like about me as a person, and what he would change multiple times. His replies have been: “I like you. Everything. All of it.”, “There isn’t anything I would change about you because it would change you as a person.”, “If I had to change something, I wish you would have more confidence in yourself.”

I have met one his roomates before, and she said that she and her friend heard a lot about me (though she may have been exaggerating about how much. She was tipsy and it seemed like she may be a dramatic type.)

I also know that he’s been asked a couple times if we were dating. I asked him if it bothered him that a lot of people seemed to think that, and he said it didn’t.

I have asked him before if he acts like this with other people, and he has said he doesn’t.

When we do see each other, he has on multiple occasions given me hugs that have almost lasted a full minute, brushes against me a lot when we are walking next to each other. (With Covid going around, we had a lot of outdoor walks).

My gut feelings tell me that he might, however, about 8 months ago I told him that I might like him, and he told me he did not see me that way at the time. I have considered the possibility that something may have changed between then and now, but I am worried about making things awkward between us if I brought the idea of dating up.