The New York Atlas have agreed to one-year contracts with Cole Williams and Kyle Jackson for the 2025 season. 

Jackson is an eight-year veteran at the pro level. Spending time between midfield and attack, Jackson is seen as a utility player, being able to play in nearly every spot of an offensive set. In 77 career games, Jackson has amassed 124 points. 

Jackson spent the season playing for the Carolina Chaos, finishing with 11 points (9G, 2A) in 10 games.

Williams, a former attackman at Johns Hopkins University, has played in just seven games during his tenure in the Premier Lacrosse League, tallying eight points through three seasons. He’s made a name for himself by participating in the league’s Lexus Championship Series for the past three years, however. 

Williams put on a remarkable performance in the most recent Championship Series as a member of the Utah Archers. He scored 15 points (12G, 3A) in the tournament and was the team’s second-leading scorer. 

Atlas head coach Mike Pressler was eager to bring in two left-handed players with different play styles. 

“The only thing similar between the two is that they’re great locker room guys and that they’re lefties,” Pressler said. “But physically, they’re two different players, and that just gives us great versatility in the midfield.” 

Jackson, standing at 5-foot-9, 163 pounds, brings creativity from his box lacrosse background to complement fellow Canadian Jeff Teat on attack. 

“He’s so versatile,” Pressler said. “He can play attack, he can play inside, he can play off the ball and he brings a full resume of skills as a crafty veteran.”

While Jackson is known for his multifaceted play style, Williams uses his size and physicality to make his presence felt on the field.

“You can’t coach 6-foot-5, 220 pounds,” Pressler said. “He’s a much different matchup than Jackson. He brings that physicality to the left side of the field. He played attack in college, so he’s more of a swing guy.”

In 2024, New York’s leading scorer and league MVP, Teat, had just four assists to left-handed players. With the addition of two more left-handed midfielders into the lineup, the hope is for Pressler’s offense to spread the distribution across the field, making not only his right-handed players a known threat, but his lefties just as potent when Teat is looking to assist.