EAST STROUDSBURG - Three of the first nine selections in the first round of the NFL Draft on Thursday night were coached collegiately by East Stroudsburg University graduates - James Franklin '95, head coach at Penn State, and Harry Hiestand '83, offensive line coach at Notre Dame prior to rejoining the Chicago Bears staff this offseason.

Franklin recruited and coached running back Saquon Barkley, a native of Whitehall and the No. 2 pick Thursday night by the New York Giants.

Hiestand mentored two of his Notre Dame offensive linemen to top-10 selections - Quenton Nelson, selected No. 6 by the Indianapolis Colts, and Mike McGlinchey, drafted No. 9 by the San Francisco 49ers.

Franklin, entering his fifth season at Penn State, has guided the Nittany Lions to a 36-17 record in his first four seasons, including 22-5 in the last two years with a Rose Bowl appearance in 2016 and a 35-28 win over Washington in the Fiesta Bowl in 2017.

Including a 24-15 record in three seasons at Vanderbilt (2011-13), Franklin has a seven-year record of 60-32 with bowl appearances all seven seasons as a collegiate head coach.

At ESU, Franklin was the Warriors' starting quarterback in 1993 and 1994 and was a regional candidate for the Harlon Hill Award, presented to the top player in NCAA Division II, following his senior season when he ranked sixth in DII in total offense (312.9 ypg).

He graduated with 23 school records, including season records for passing yards and total offense in 1994 and passing TD in 1993. He threw for 2,586 yards and 14 TD, and ran for 543 yards and seven TD, as a senior and threw for 1,1912 yards and 19 TD with 395 rushing yards and three TD as a junior.

Hiestand was a student assistant coach as an undergraduate at ESU in 1981 and 1982, and the Warriors' offensive line coach from 1983-85. He has coached at eight Division I programs, most recently six seasons as offensive line coach at Notre Dame (2012-17), before rejoining the Chicago Bears staff in January.

Hiestand helped the Bears to their most recent Super Bowl appearance following the 2006 season.

While at ESU, the Warriors finished 9-2 and won the PSAC championship in 1982, and reached the state title game again in 1983.

ESU enters its 45th year under head coach Denny Douds, who leads all active NCAA football coaches in career wins (263) going into the 2018 season.