What does it mean when he says I love you as a friend?

He always texts me and wants hugs from me anytime I see him, will tug on my hair or lean on me when we're around each other, and sometimes randomly calls me at night when he's drunk. We always have good talks and funny conversations but now he's saying that he loves me as a friend. I don't know what to think. Help?

If you know what a friend is and the feeling of love you would have for that friend then it shouldn't be hard to understand what he means, basically it means that he doesn't feel the kind of love towards you that leads people into committed romantic/sexual relationships.. however it could mean that he might be into a friend with benefits type of relationship with no attachment or commitment or maybe he just sees as a friend.