GREEN BAY – Before reaching the peak of their profession, Jaire Alexander and Lamar Jackson were the faces of the Louisville football program.
For three years, each was the biggest thorn in the other's side during the workweek. If Jackson completed a pass on Alexander, the cornerback immediately aimed to pick off his quarterback the next play and vice versa. This was their thing.
What sprouted was a friendship built on respect and admiration for the other's game. After battling on the practice field, Jackson and Alexander often conducted postgame interviews in tandem.
Fittingly, the two also were drafted into the NFL on the same night in 2018, with Alexander going 18th overall to the Packers and Jackson heading to Baltimore at No. 32.
In a moment that soon went viral, Alexander leapt from his chair in the midst of a draft night interview when he heard his Louisville teammate was chosen by the Ravens.
Six years later, the two reconvened at Nitschke Field, as Thursday's joint practice between the Packers and Ravens served as the perfect backdrop for the two to reflect on their journey.
"It's a testament to our work ethic," said Alexander, who spent an early special-teams period talking with Jackson at midfield. "We set out in this league to be great. We're both taking strides to do so. It's just fun watching him and watching us both grow and mature through this whole process."
Members of the same 2015 college recruiting class, Alexander and Jackson helped lead Louisville to 25 wins over their three seasons together. As sophomores, Jackson won a Heisman Trophy while Alexander was voted second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference.
Success has followed both to the pros in prolific fashion. Jackson has become a two-time NFL MVP while Alexander is now a two-time All-Pro. Together, they've combined for five Pro Bowl appearances.
Jackson didn't address the media following Thursday's joint practice but has frequently praised Alexander in the past. Watching Alexander's reaction to his selection in 2018, Jackson couldn't stop smiling when praising his former teammate.
"That's my brother. He's something special," said Jackson on the draft night in 2018. "It's hard to throw around him. You never know what to do. I'd get a pass caught on him, he'd catch an interception and we'd go at it the next practice. But that's my boy. I'm proud of you, bro. You deserve it all."
Prior to Thursday, the two shared a pro football field just once before – a 2019 preseason game between the Packers and Ravens in Baltimore, which saw Jackson hurdle his former teammate on a touchdown run that was nullified by an illegal blindside block.
It remains to be seen whether the two will appear in Saturday night's preseason finale at Lambeau Field – the Packers haven't tipped their hand on whether starters will play – but Alexander savored every moment of Thursday's joint practice.
By Alexander's count, Jackson only targeted his receiver once during 11-on-11. When Jackson came running his direction, Alexander kept the QB in front of him.
"Lamar's a hell of a competitor, as we all know," Alexander said. "It's just good to see him out there running around. I thought he tried to juke me one time. He almost got me but thank God he didn't."
Overall, it was a good day for the Packers' defense, which had several pressures and forced Jackson into numerous checkdowns during team periods. Ravens coach John Harbaugh specifically praised Green Bay's defensive front for pushing the pocket during his post-practice news conference.
Alexander says the Packers still have more work to do but agreed it was a step in the right direction after an up-and-down performance during last week's joint practice in Denver.
"It was super-important. I think it gave everybody a little more confidence," Alexander said. "We know the Ravens are a smash-mouth team, so we already knew that coming in that they were gonna maybe try and bully us, but I don't think guys allowed that today – especially on our side of the ball."
Personally and professionally, Alexander feels in a good place entering his seventh NFL season. Maintaining "an attitude of gratitude," the 5-foot-10, 196-pound cornerback believes he's grown and matured from all the adversity he faced last season.
Practicing against a reigning NFL MVP isn't a bad table-setter, either. While he didn't have many passes thrown his way Thursday, Alexander enjoyed sparring with his close friend.
"It's just like watching a distant cousin or brother. It's always good to see his success," Alexander said. "I always joke with him, 'When we gonna meet in the Super Bowl, man?' I think the time is coming soon."
