A photo gallery of ESPN The Magazine's four NEXT 2009 finalists

NEXT 2009: THE WINNER AND RUNNERS-UP

Michael Vick in better times as QB of the Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons, through the years

A MATT RYAN PHOTO TIMELINE

...like that led to Ryan being selected No. 3 in the 2008 NFL Draft, to the Atlanta Falcons

...a rebuilding year for the Falcons, a team coming off a 4—12 season and defined by the scandalous off-field actions of its former franchise QB. When Atlanta took Ryan with the third...